New York Post
New York City skywatchers should gear up if they plan to peep next week’s solar eclipse.
Viewers risk long-lasting damage to their eyes after only seconds of staring at the sun, even during a partial eclipse. Many optometrists have said they see an increase in patients complaining of blind spots or blurred vision after an eclipse.
The Great North American Solar Eclipse — the last total eclipse to hit the US for the next 20 years — occurs Monday, April 8 and will hit New York between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. The Big Apple is expected to see 90% of the eclipse.
Many companies are helping New Yorkers out by giving out free eclipse glasses. See where you can get them in your neighborhood.
Where can I get free solar eclipse glasses?
Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced locations across the state where New Yorkers can receive free “I LOVE NY” eclipse glasses. In New York City, the location for pickup is at Moynihan Train Hall.
New York, Brooklyn and Queens Public Library locations — 217 branches across the city — are also giving out free solar eclipse glasses on a first-come, first-served basis.
Warby Parker will be giving out free eclipse glasses at each of its 11 NYC locations while supplies last. The limit is two pairs per family.
If you can’t make it to a brick-and-mortar location before the big eclipse, the company also provides a pinhole eclipse projector template on its website, which allows for viewing the eclipse shadow at no risk to your retinas.
In addition, participating MyEyeDr locations will be giving out free glasses, including one in Astoria and multiple in Westchester.
NASA released a guide to make your own “eclipse projector” from cardboard, white paper and aluminum foil, which will work like eclipse glasses.
If you’re looking to avoid the hassle of getting eclipse glasses, you can order them straight to your home from The Post’s vetted-and-approved list of suppliers since there are expected to be many fake pairs being sold before the eclipse.
This was originally published on The New York Post
