People are standing in line for hours to get a pair of solar eclipse glasses
In anticipation of the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, people are standing in crazy-long lines to score a pair of viewing glasses — sweltering heat and counterfeit glasses be damned.
During the event — the first in the United States since 1979 — the sun will vanish behind the moon, revealing the sun’s outer atmosphere to 14 states and a view of a partial eclipse to the remainder. During this surreal moment (which lasts several minutes), animals may act startled and change their behavior as though it’s nighttime, and the temperature will drop. And since it’s never safe to gaze directly into the sun, viewing glasses are in hot demand.
Exhibit A: the line at Parkway Place Mall in Huntsville, Ala., on Tuesday, where 5,000 glasses provided by the Huntsville International Airport were handed out. “We have to create order here; it is one per person. Put your hand out, get one pair of glasses. They’re free, and this is something that is supposed to be very fun, so we really hope that people bring their patience,” Parkway marketing director Molly Mitchell told local news station WHNT 19.
Here is more eclipse madness in Nashville, Tenn.
And in Charlotte, N.C.
More lines in Cartersville, Ga.
Many people who didn’t want to stand in line opted to purchase viewing glasses on Amazon; however, the online retailer recently had to issue refunds to customers who unknowingly ordered glasses that “may not comply with industry standards.” The American Astronomical Society also published a list of reputable glasses vendors.
And if you can’t get your hands on a pair? You can always tune into a live-stream of the event. Or wait until the next total solar eclipse in 2024.
Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
