NASA recommends that you invest in safe solar viewing glasses — also called eclipse glasses — or a safe handheld solar viewer. Planetariums usually sell them in their gift shops. However, what if you don’t live near a planetarium? Where can you get solar eclipse glasses before the big event?
Where to Get Solar Eclipse Glasses
There are still a few ways to get glasses before the April 8 total eclipse in Maine. Some are even free and available locally. Others you may need to buy.
Note: Southern Maine on the Cheap is not responsible for the inherent risk you assume in looking at an eclipse.
Where to Buy Eclipse Glasses
You can buy solar eclipse glasses online at Amazon. Or check your local hardware store. We were in the Lowe’s in Sanford today, and there was a display in the front, selling solar eclipse glasses.
Free Glasses
Another way to get glasses? See if your local library has them in their library of things. My local library, the Kennebunk Free Library, is giving them away. Because of high demand, there will be a 2-glasses-per-family limit. Check out the sign in front of the library.
If you happen to live near Wells, take note. Congdon’s Doughnuts on Route 1 is giving away free glasses. Because I’d signed up for their birthday freebies, I’m on Congdon’s mailing list. So, I got an email from them a few days ago, saying the following:
“On both Friday, April 5th & Saturday, April 6th, we will be giving away a FREE pair of solar glasses to guests who purchase a dozen doughnuts! It is first come, come serve until we run out! We have a very limited amount of glasses!”
I’m not sure that Congdon’s will be open on Friday, given the impending snowstorm and Nor’easter. However, Saturday’s weather looks OK and might be the perfect time to go get doughnuts and a free pair of eclipse glasses, too.