TOLEDO, Ohio — On April 8, northwest Ohio will be in the path of a total solar eclipse, a once-in-a-lifetime event you won't want to miss. Eclipse or not, it is never safe to look directly at the sun, so solar eclipse viewing glasses are a must. Here's where you can get total solar eclipse glasses in northwest Ohio and what you need to know about safety.
Safety first
WTOL 11 spoke with Dr. Mandar Joshi, a ProMedica ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal disorders, about the importance of safely viewing the solar eclipse.
Looking directly at the sun with the naked eye, through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose filter secured over your eyes will instantly cause severe eye injury, including blindness. Additionally, sunglasses are not safe to view the sun through. You also must not view the sun through a camera lens, binoculars or telescope without a special filter, even while wearing solar eclipse glasses.
"Glasses we would use to view an eclipse are several thousand times darker or stronger than your regular sunglasses," Joshi said. "You don’t want to wear regular sunglasses. Even several pairs of regular sunglasses aren’t going to do what ISO-certified eclipse glasses or a viewer will do."
According to NASA's webpage on solar eclipse safety, safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker than standard sunglasses and should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. There is no specific NASA-endorsed solar eclipse viewer brand.
Read more about solar eclipse safety from NASA here.
The American Astronomical Society (AAS), a partner of the National Science Foundation, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, outlined a description of what you should look for on solar eclipse viewing glasses, including a label indicating the glasses meet the requirement for the international standard. It did note, however, that bad actors could place the ISO label on unsafe glasses that do not meet the standard.
"The reason it’s really important to go to an accredited site is that, unfortunately, unscrupulous vendors have been selling eclipse glasses, or labeled as eclipse glasses, with ISO-labeling that have not been certified or vetted," Joshi said.
Click here to see the AAS list of manufacturers and retailers of ISO-compliant safe eclipse glasses and/or handheld viewers.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW: Total solar eclipse 2024 guide
According to the AAS, safe solar eclipse glasses should not show anything through them except the sun itself or the sun reflected on a bright surface, such as a mirror or shiny metal.
"If you can see shaded lamps or other common household light fixtures (not bare bulbs) of more ordinary brightness through your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer, and you're not sure the product came from a reputable vendor, don't use it," the AAS said on its website.
Joshi noted other important things to look out for when ensuring glasses are safe.
"Look specifically at the filters," he said. "You want to make sure that there’s no space between the filter and the side or the frame itself. You want to make sure there are no scratches and no perforations. When you put them on, you should have a comfortable view of the sun. If it feels bright, if it looks blurry or uncomfortable, stop viewing and don’t use those glasses. Get another pair."
Read more about the American Astronomical Association's description of determining the reliability solar eclipse glasses by clicking here.
To learn more about the dangers of viewing the solar eclipse or the sun without a safe solar filter, watch the video below:
Reputable organizations providing glasses
City of Toledo (multiple locations)
The city will distribute eclipse glasses, while supplies last, to eclipse watchers at Promenade Park, Navarre Park and Joe E. Brown Park from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Toledo Lucas County Public Library (multiple locations, Lucas County)
UPDATE: The libraries are now out of glasses, according to a TLCPL spokesperson.
The Toledo Library opened requests for solar eclipse glasses on March 4, but very quickly ran out. On March 5, the Library said it would re-open the request form when it receives another shipment later in the month.
Perrysburg High School Theatre Department (multiple locations)
To promote their musical "Little Shop of Horrors," which prominently features a total solar eclipse in its plot, the Perrysburg High School Theatre Department is passing out glasses to the public on Wednesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. while supplies last, at the following locations:
- Way Public Library (Perrysburg)
- Nothing Bundt Cakes (Perrysburg)
- O-Deer Diner (Perrysburg)
- Old House (Waterville)
Imagination Station (downtown Toledo)
According to the Imagination Station's solar eclipse frequently asked questions page, you can purchase solar eclipse glasses at the museum's gift shop, "Science2GO!" open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Solar eclipse glasses are not available to purchase online from the gift shop, but you can purchase an eclipse guide and a solar filter for a cell phone.
Click here for more information.
Metroparks Toledo (various locations, Lucas County)
Viewing parities will take place at both the Glass City Metropark and Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, rain or shine. If you're in need of solar eclipse glasses, the Metroparks will hand out them out to borrow at both locations.
VIEWING PARTIES AND MORE: LIST: Total solar eclipse events in northwest Ohio
National Museum of the Great Lakes (east Toledo)
Between April 6 and 8, the first 100 visitors to the museum will receive complimentary eclipse viewing glasses.
City of Perrysburg (downtown Perrysburg)
Perrysburg's "solar-bration" will take place on Saturday, April 6 and include eclipse-related festivities. The city will be selling ISO-certified eclipse protective viewing wear for $1 each.
Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Ohio)
Free solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided for all in attendance of their viewing party, according to the institution's website. Free eclipse glasses will also be provided to all BGSU students, staff and faculty in the weeks leading up to the eclipse.
During the city's pre-eclipse celebration event, you can get a pair of eclipse glasses during "Total Eclipse of the Towpath" at the White Street parking lot down by the river on April 7.
Oregon Rec Soccer Fields (Oregon)
The city will give out free glasses during their "Blackout on the Bay" event on April 8.
University of Toledo (west Toledo)
During the UToledo solar eclipse watch party at the Glass Bowl, the university will hand out free eclipse viewing glasses while supplies last. For more information on their viewing event, click here.
Toledo Zoo (south Toledo)
During their eclipse viewing event, the Toledo Zoo will provide free eclipse glasses while supplies last. Regular zoo admission is required.
Swanton Public Library (Swanton, Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m.)
Julie Brink from Fulton County Visitors bureau will talk what the county should expect on April 8. Free eclipse glasses will be available afterwards.
No matter where you get your glasses from, be sure to check the American Astronomical Association's list of what to look for to ensure their safety before use.
As more institutions and organizations announce their eclipse plans, WTOL 11 will update this story to let you know where you can get safe solar eclipse viewing glasses.
PLAYLIST: WATCH MORE WTOL 11 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE COVERAGE