Astronomers Without Borders | Explore Scientific | 2017 Sep 07
Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) is collecting eclipse-viewing glasses from across the US to send to schools in South America and Asia for use during solar eclipses that cross the continents in 2019.
As a total eclipse of the Sun swept across the continental U.S from coast to coast on August 21 for the first time in nearly a century, millions of eclipse glasses were used to safely witness this dramatic celestial event. Now, AWB and its corporate partner Explore Scientific, have launched a nationwide grassroots initiative to collect gently used eclipse glasses to give them a second life before they are unnecessarily recycled or reach landfills.
Through the enthusiastic support of local libraries, schools, museums, city halls, police stations, commercial businesses, and community organizations, collection centers are quickly popping up from coast to coast to ensure that as many glasses as possible are recycled. Just two weeks after the eclipse, more than 800 collection centers are gathering glasses, and Explore Scientific’s warehouse has received well over 150,000 pairs of used and leftover new glasses. That number is rising by leaps and bounds, with people providing those schools in developing countries the wonderful opportunity to safely experience a solar eclipse.
Collection centers are encouraged to register online on the AWB website.
AWB is also seeking sponsors to support processing, storage, and shipping of the more than one millions glasses expected to be donated.
Every pair of glasses will be inspected to make sure they meet safety certifications, and are not damaged or counterfeit.
AWB Eclipse Glasses Donation Program