Looking for ways to put your “lightly used” solar eclipse glasses to use, and donate to a worthwhile cause? Consider
donating your glasses, if they are undamaged and can be used again. The organization Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) will soon announce a program dedicated to redistributing glasses to schools in Asia and South America, where there will be solar eclipses in 2019, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office wants to help.
“This is an opportunity for schools to have a first-hand science experience that they might not otherwise have” Astronomers Without Borders President Mike Simmons told Gizmodo. “Many schools in developing countries don’t have resources for science education and this is a rare opportunity that inspires students and teachers and shows them that science is something they can do. It can be a ray of hope for young people who don’t otherwise see a path to a career like this.”
The organization’s mission is to provide astronomy-related education and equipment for developing countries. It raises money to buy new glasses for children, but it is hoping to use this opportunity to build a stockpile.
You may mail your usable condition eclipse glasses to Astronomers Without Borders’ corporate sponsor, Explore Scientific, based at 621 Madison Street, Springdale, Arkansas. Also, you may drop off your used eclipse glasses at either the Linn County Sheriff’s Office/Jail or the Lebanon Substation for the Sheriff’s Office. We will mail all glasses collected on September 30th, so please bring them in at your earliest convenience.
And, in case you are wondering, there is no shelf life on your eclipse glasses. If your eclipse glasses or viewers are compliant with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, you can reuse them indefinitely, according to NASA. Please help us put them to good use, especially for those who can’t afford or obtain proper eye protection both locally, and abroad.
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