Free Eclipse Glasses Available At Pierce County Libraries

SUMNER, WA - Avoid the crowds headed down to Oregon to watch the 100 percent solar eclipse on Aug. 21 because you can stay in the Puget Sound and see a 94 percent eclipse. Even better, the Pierce County library system is giving out 1,000 free pairs of solar eclipse glasses so you and your family can view the eclipse safely.

The Pierce County library system will give out the free glasses at a series of eclipse-themed events coming up next week.

Solar Cupcake and Create a Pinhole Camera

• Bonney Lake - Saturday Aug. 19, 2:00 p.m.
• Buckley - Wednesday Aug 16, 2:00 p.m.
• Gig Harbor - Saturday Aug 19, 10:30 a.m. (Registration required. Sign up here.)

Explore Science: The Solar Eclipse

• DuPont - Thursday Aug. 17, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Milton - Wednesday Aug. 16, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sumner - Friday Aug. 18, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Eclipse Story Time

• Parkland/Spanaway - Friday Aug 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Remember, you can't look directly at the eclipse without glasses. Whatever eclipse glasses you use, make sure they are legitimate. There have been reports of fake eclipse glasses being sold online and in stores. Real glasses will bear the ISO (International Organization for Standards) standard 12312-2 mark. Eclipse glasses allow only a fraction of light in compared to ordinary sunglasses.

Image via NASA