Want to safely see the solar eclipse? Where to find special glasses around Charlotte
The countdown is on to one of the world’s most spectacular sights that’ll be visible in Charlotte: a total solar eclipse (although not quite total in Charlotte). It’s not too late to grab a pair of glasses to safely see it.
On April 8, you’ll be able to experience the sky darkening from daylight to dusk as the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the face of the Sun — the last one crossing the U.S. for the next 20 years.
In Charlotte, we’ll start to see the eclipse at beginning around 1:54 p.m., The Charlotte Observer previously reported, with about 83% of a partial solar eclipse around 3:12 p.m.
Looking directly at the eclipse could cause serious eye damage, so you want to make sure you have the right protection if you plan to watch. If you don’t still have your old pair from the last eclipse in 2017 (that aren’t scratched or broken), here’s where you can find a pair around Charlotte:
Anne Springs Close Greenway Gateway
Location: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715
If you need a pair of special eclipse glasses, you could try to grab a pair from Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill. There are a limited supply of glasses available for sale at the Greenway Gateway.
Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville
Location: 105 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Though Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville is typically closed on Mondays, the museum is partnering with the Town of Huntersville to host a viewing party from 12-4 p.m. with hands-on activities. For those attending, the museum will have a limited number of free eclipse glasses. Tickets are limited so you should RSVP online quickly if you want to go.
Discovery Place Science
Location: 168 W 6th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
On April 8, Discovery Place Science will have free eclipse glasses available while supplies last. In addition to astronomy-themed activities leading up to the eclipse, the uptown museum will also host a free viewing party on its parking deck from 2:30-4 p.m. and an eclipse live stream from 1:30-4:15 p.m. included in museum visitors that day.
Fahrenheit
Location: 222 S. Caldwell St., 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202
If you want to see the eclipse from up above, Fahrenheit is opening early for an eclipse happy hour with complimentary glasses. The uptown rooftop’s event will be from 1-6:30 p.m. with bar bites and special drinks.
Ghostface Brewing
Location: 215 S Broad St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Ghostface Brewing in Lake Norman will have special glasses available for guests at its solar eclipse watch party. If you buy a buy a beer or food at the party, you’ll get a free pair while supplies last.
Jeni’s Spendid Ice Creams
Location: Multiple
Jeni’s Spendid Ice Creams has special eclipse glasses available online and in scoop shops. One the day of the eclipse, you can get a free pairs of eclipse glasses with a purchase of scoops or pints.
Merchant & Trade
Location: 303 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Merchant & Trade is hosting a special rooftop eclipse viewing party with complimentary glasses available for guests. The party will be held from 1-5 p.m. with a DJ, themed-cocktails, food and more.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium
Location: 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054
The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium has special solar eclipse glasses available for $3 each during open hours through April 8. The Gastonia museum is also hosting a weekend full of eclipse activities leading up to the big event, which are included in museum admission.
Retail stores with safe solar eclipse glasses
The American Astronomical Society released a list of vendors and companies selling safe solar glasses to use, which can be found at the following retail stores around Charlotte:
You can find more information and a full list of companies with solar eclipse glasses on the market online at eclipse.aas.org.
Are there other ways to see the solar eclipse without glasses?
Viewing the eclipse without the right protection can be dangerous for your vision, even through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope. There are other alternatives to catching the eclipse if you can’t find a pair of eclipse glasses— with a DIY pinhole projector.
“You can make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and aluminum foil. With the Sun behind you, sunlight will stream through a pinhole punched into aluminum foil taped over a hole in one side of the box,” according to NASA.
“During the partial phases of a solar eclipse, this will project a crescent Sun onto a white sheet of paper taped to the inside of the box. Look into the box through another hole cut into the box to see the projected image.”
You can find more information and guidelines about how to safely watch the solar eclipse online at science.nasa.gov.
The Charlotte Observer reporter Evan Moore contributed to this story.
This story was originally published April 4, 2024 at 2:40 PM.