Congratulations, you’ve successfully heeded the many warnings to not burn your retinas while you watch the solar eclipse. So, what’s next now that all the excitement is over? Many people around the country will currently be clearing out all of their eclipse paraphernalia as they make room for the next big holiday or event, but if you’re one of those people, we urge you to stop what you’re doing.
Besides the fact that you probably paid an extortionate amount of money for them, there’s a very good reason for saving your used eclipse viewing glasses from the trash. Thanks to a group called Astronomers Without Borders, those expensive and cardboard eye-savers can continue to do some good in the world, long after your eclipse buzz has worn off.
The not-for-profit group is asking yesterday’s sun-gazers to donate their used glasses so they can help other communities around the world enjoy the eerie glory that is a solar eclipse. While the next total solar eclipse to grace the North American continent isn’t due for another seven years, 2019 will see the magical event cross large parts of Asia and South America. Astronomers Without Borders is collecting donated glasses from yesterday’s event, and will then distribute them to schools in Asia and South America to help promote STEM education in those communities.
Astronomers Without Borders holds regular fundraising events to help them purchase large batches of viewing glasses for children, but the buzz that surrounded yesterday’s solar eclipse could allow them to greatly increase the number of glasses they are able to distribute.
So, if you want your glasses to continue their crusade of eye-saving goodness, send them to the address below:
Explore Scientific,
621 Madison Street,
Springdale,
Arkansas, 72762
