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IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology

Astronomers Without Borders Will Give Away 100,000 Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses

• https://www.space.com, By Samantha Mathewson

The eclipse, also called the Great American Total Solar Eclipse, will sweep across the continental U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. Skywatchers in the path of totality will see the moon slowly pass in front of the sun. Viewers outside that path may see the sun partially covered.

Although the moon will temporarily block out the sun's bright light, special glasses are required to safely view the solar eclipse. AWB will be giving out eclipse-viewing glasses to select minority based-schools, youth community centers, children's hospitals and other deserving groups through an online registration process.

"This eclipse is historic, with a huge effort underway by organizations across the country to prepare people for the experience and use this rare opportunity to teach science," Mike Simmons, president and founder of AWB, said in a statement. "We're very pleased to be able to provide access to eclipse viewing to those who might otherwise miss out, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors." 

The AWB giveaway was funded by donations from Google (50,000 glasses), Big Kid Science (50,000 glasses) and the American Astronomical Society (3,200 Eclipse Megamovie project glasses), according to the statement. The public can also purchase special solar-eclipse-viewing glasses from AWB, and all sales will support the organization's international grassroots science outreach programs.


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