Need eclipse glasses? Here’s where to find them in NH

Unless you want to wait another 55 years until New Hampshire is in the path of totality, for a total solar eclipse, you might want to think about picking up a pair of certified safety eclipse glasses in plenty of time for the April 8, event.

While businesses, libraries, and museums have been offering solar spectacles for the April 8 celestial event, supplies are running low. Here’s a list, as of now, where you might be able to find a pair or two.

According to a release from the state, safely viewing a solar eclipse requires specialized glasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s light. Even 1 % of the light is dangerous. The gold standard for safety is to use special-purpose solar filters. These are found in eclipse glasses adhering to the ISO international safety standards. To help the public obtain properly documented, vetted viewers, the American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force has a list of vendors of safe solar viewers.

The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is selling four packs of safe, paper eclipse glasses on a special section of their site.

Glasses can also be purchased for $2.50 a pair at the Science Store at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Dr, Concord, or by calling them before March 31 or to have the glasses mailed to your home for $3.50.

They are also available at the SEE Science Center’s gift shop, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, for $2 per pair.  The glasses block 99.99% of the Sun’s light and are thousands of times darker than any sunglasses. They can be used for up to 3 minutes of continuous direct solar viewing. They are ISO-certified and made in the United States. The Center has extended its hours to sell the glasses when the Center is usually closed on April 3 – 4 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and April 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

According to Forbes Magazine, the MyEyeDr. company has announced it’s giving away over 90,000 free solar eclipse glasses, including its 13 New Hampshire locations.

If you can’t get a hold of the glasses, experts suggest making a pinhole projector. Or you can watch an eclipse simulation.

The solar eclipse, according to the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism, will begin with a partial eclipse at 2:15 p.m., and the total eclipse will occur at 3:28 p.m. The best view will be in the Great North Woods, which will witness 100% coverage. State travel experts predict thousands, will travel to the state in the hopes of getting this once-in-a-lifetime view of the sky.