CLEVELAND — We’re less than three months away from the spectacular moment Northeast Ohio will be treated to a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 -- and making sure you find a pair of safety glasses ahead of time is important so you can watch it all unfold.
Featuring a silhouette of the Cleveland skyline, the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland was selling locally designed eclipse glasses in their online store for $2.50 each.
NASA GLENN SELLS OUT
After we posted this story, however, NASA tells 3News they have sold out of the eclipse glasses and don't plan to restock.
But that doesn't mean you're out of luck..
GLASSES FROM CLEVELAND METROPARKS
The Cleveland Metroparks are selling their own local design -- which you can buy online HERE for $2 each. You can also find these in the following stores starting Feb. 1:
- North Chagrin Nature Shop
- Rocky River Nature Shop
- Hinckley Lake Boathouse
DESTINATION CLEVELAND SELLING 2 DESIGNS
"Destination Cleveland is offering solar eclipse glasses -- in two uniquely Cleveland designs," according to their online store. "It’s all so you and our visitors to The Land can safely enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event that’s truly out of this world."
Destination Cleveland is selling their solar eclipse glasses (which you can order HERE) in packs of 50 for $37.50. The last day to place an order will be Jan. 31. The product will be shipped out to buyers in March.
FREE GLASSES?
NASA Glenn tells 3News they will be giving away free eclipse glasses at the following events over the next few months:
- Feb. 17-19 : Monster Jam! — Cleveland, Ohio
- Come learn about how NASA Glenn is reinventing the wheel during Monster Jam! Glenn’s work with shape memory alloy is redefining how we look at developing tires for lunar and Mars rovers.
- March 3: Cleveland Cavaliers’ Score with STEM — Cleveland, Ohio
- NASA will be present at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Score with STEM event to showcase the Graphics and Visualization Lab, which develops graphics visualizations to provide researchers, engineers, and scientists with visual tools to develop scientific solutions for their work. Experience 3D visualizations and virtual reality firsthand as we aim to inspire the next generation of explorers.
- April 6-8: Total Eclipse Festival at Great Lakes Science Center — Cleveland, Ohio
- On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, and Cleveland is in the path of totality. Join us at Great Lakes Science Center during their three-day festival to celebrate this celestial event, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about the testing and research happening right here in Cleveland.
WHY YOU NEED THE GLASSES
“Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury,” NASA explains.
Here are some other eclipse safety tips as provided by NASA:
- View the sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
- You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the moon completely obscures the sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
- As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the sun.
WHAT TIME IS THE ECLIPSE IN CLEVELAND?
NASA outlines the eclipse timeframe in Cleveland as follows:
- Partial eclipse begins: 1:59 p.m.
- Totality begins: 3:13 p.m.
- Maximum totality: 3:15 p.m.
- Totality ends: 3:17 p.m.
- Partial eclipse ends: 4:29 p.m.
Other states in the path of totality include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Portions of Canada will also be treated to the total eclipse.
If you really want to commemorate the moment, NASA Glenn is also selling Cleveland-based eclipse shirts.
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