Eclipse glasses get second life

Used total solar eclipse glasses are getting a second life out of them as area businesses become collection sites for another eclipse later this year. On Oct. 2, what's known as an annular solar eclipse will create a ring of fire. It will be seen across the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile and southern Argentina. Parts of Hawaii will be in the path and experience the ring of fire as well. According to NASA, an annular eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth but when it is at or near its furthest point from Earth. Because the moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the sun and does not completely cover the sun. As a result, the moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk. It's never safe to look at an annular eclipse without solar glasses, and local businesses are collecting gently used glasses from Monday's total eclipse. "As part of preparing for the eclipse, we wanted to see if there was something we could do about the glasses," Allison McDonald, a business partner of the Common Good Collective in Norwalk said. "We hate to throw things away when they can be used again." McComb Public Library director Jane Schaffner said the library received 500 free glasses for patrons and wanted to pass the opportunity on for others. She said many area libraries are also doing the same. Schaffner said the library has already had a great response and that it will be collecting glasses until the end of the month. These area businesses have become hubs for collecting or vetting solar eclipse glasses for Astronomers Without Borders and Eclipse Glasses USA, organizations dedicated to ensuring everyone can safely experience eclipses and bringing people together through a common interest in astronomy. McDonald said the glasses have to be vetted to guidelines and they'll be assisted by St. Paul's Trinity Lutheran Church to be part of that process. McDonald said glasses will be stored until Astronomers Without Borders until they have a place to ship the glasses. Glasses donated to either organization would be shipped across the world for many others to enjoy the wonders of space, science and eclipses. Where to donate? People can donate used eclipse glasses at: • Bowling Green Schools, 1079 Fairview Ave., Bowling Green • Shores & Islands Ohio, 770 S.E. Catawba Rd., Port Clinton and 125 E. Water St., Sandusky • Common Good Collective, 11 W. Main St., Norwalk • McComb Public Library, 113 S. Todd St., McComb • Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, 206 Broadway St., Findlay • Kaubisch Memorial Public Library, 205 Perry St., Fostoria • Ada Public Library, 320 N. Main St., Ada