Sending Solar Glasses to Build CommunityAstronomers Without Borders has been sending solar glasses for annular and total solar eclipse since 2008. From Africa, Asia, North and South America, our members, partners and National Coordinators helped to bring glasses people who may not otherwise have a safe way to view the eclipse directly. Travelers from the United States would bring them in their luggage and hand them out to local villagers.
Recycling Donated GlassesBuilding a community beyond time and place - glasses that once sat on the faces of Americans for the 2017 Great American Eclipse built bridges to individuals all over the world!
Millions of donated glasses turned into a few hundred thousand that were vetted for reusability.
Tens of thousands were then sent to South America, Asia, Africa and South America again. Three years after the Great American Total Solar Eclipse, we have almost dispensed all the glasses that were entrusted to us from generous Americans who sent them to us at their own expense.
Keep reading to find out more about our glasses recycling program. AWB is currently searching for funding to support this program after the 2023 and 2024 North American eclipses. If you are interested in financially supporting or becoming a collection/vetting node for this effort, please contact
zoe@astronomerswithoutborders.orgAWB is committed to send glasses to those who need them for outreach and educational programs,