The race is on for skygazers to get their hands on a pair of solar eclipse glasses before the big day on April 8, and many people may be turning to Warby Parker.
The glasses retailer based in New York City has previously announced that beginning Monday April 1, it will be giving away free certified solar eclipse glasses at its stores in the United States. Not a bad offer for those worried that shipping and delivery times may make online orders a risk so close to the upcoming total solar eclipse itself.
And because Warby Parker has more than 240 retail locations across the country, there's a good chance would-be eclipse spectators will have a store close by if they're willing to make the trip.
Here's what to know about where Warby Parker stores are located and how to find one nearby before the first North American total solar eclipse since 2017 blankets much of the U.S. in uncharacteristic darkness.
What to know about eclipse glasses:Solar eclipse glasses are needed for safety, but they sure are confusing
Warby Parker began handing out the free glasses today at its stores across the country and will continue to do so until April 8, when the moon will pass between the Earth and sun and appear large enough to block the sun's disc.
To limit the chance of supplies running out, each family may receive up to two eclipse glasses, which are manufactured by American Paper Optics.
In the United States, the path of totality will begin in southwestern Texas at 1:27 p.m. CT and will end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. ET.
There are 13 states directly on the April 8 total solar eclipse's path of totality, all of which have Warby Parker stores with the exception of New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Here's where you can find them:
Even those who live on states not located on the exact path of totality still have a good chance of seeing the eclipse in some form.
If that's the boat you're in, you still may be interested in hunting down some specs from Warby Parker. The company's online store locator allows people to search for retail sites near their home and also includes a map of locations.
Check it out here:
If a store runs out of glasses, the company will provide a free eclipse pinhole projector. For those who don't live near a store, a do-it-yourself pinhole projector is available on the company's website.
Compared to regular sunglasses, proper eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light and protect our sensitive retinas when looking upward near the sun.
That's why experts widely recommend them for those who will be watching as the upcoming solar eclipse crosses North America.
Plenty of fakes and scams are out there, so the American Astronomical Society has taken on the responsibility of guiding American consumers to the safest glasses.
The organization maintains a curated list of approved vendors of solar eclipse glasses and its been updated to give priority to North American manufacturers for the upcoming astral event. Products you purchase that are listed on that site are guaranteed to be in compliance with the highest international safety standards.
Those standards are set by the International Organization for Standardization, which only vouches for solar eclipse glasses that are dark and strong enough to filter out a certain amount of the sun's harmful light.
A total solar eclipse offers the unique opportunity for skygazers to witness the spectacular astral display with the naked eye – but only when the time is right.
Eclipse glasses are still very much needed for most of the show, so make sure to come prepared, according to NASA.
But when the moon moves completely in front of the sun and blocks its light, you'll know it's safe to fully take in the dazzling display. That moment is what is called "totality," whereby uncharacteristic darkness falls and all but the sun's outermost layer known as its corona makes a rare appearance to us here on Earth.
Hundreds of cities in 13 states are on the path of totality for this year's total solar eclipse, which will pass from southwest to northeast across North America. You won't want to miss it, as this is the last such eclipse in North American until 2044.
And as you make your eclipse-viewing plans, these interactive maps should help you chart the time and duration for when totality would occur in cities along the path.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
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