We will be distributing a limited number of glasses to the Kingston and Queen's communities on campus, at no cost! These glasses will be available for pick up as of Monday, March 25, 2024.
Where to Get Eclipse Glasses in Kingston
Public Libraries
Get eclipse glasses or viewers from your local Kingston Frontenac Public Library location.
GLASSES ARE NOW OUT OF STOCK AT THESE LOCATIONS.
Queen's Campus
Queen's staff, faculty, and students can get eclipse glasses and viewers on Campus. Note: Queen's ID required
Tourism Kingston
Visitors to Kingston can also purchase glasses on the Tourism Kingston website. They are also available in-person at the Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario St., Kingston, K7L 2Z1). These glasses can be purchased for $2.50.
If you want to buy glasses...
Please note that sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe to use during an eclipse. If you are planning on purchasing your own eclipse glasses or viewers, it is recommended you buy them as soon as possible.
We do not recommend buying eclipse safety equipment from Amazon, as they cannot ensure their products meet required ISO-12312-2 safety standards for solar filters.
Here are a few trusted companies for up-to-code eclipse eye protection:
Rainbow Symphony American Paper Optics Lunt Solar Systems
For instructions and tips on how to safely view an eclipse, see this American Astronomical Society (AAS) article
NOTICE: We have found that COUNTERFEIT eclipse glasses are being sold online to people in Kingston – faked to look like glasses sold by Solar Eclipse International, Canada (SEIC). These glasses do NOT stop enough sunlight to be safe. You can tell by looking at household lights – if you can see the lights easily, these should be DISCARDED. For further details, please visit this page
The Monarch Butterfly Project
If you are looking to support a good cause with your eclipse glasses purchase, see The Monarch Butterfly Eclipse Project! Their mission states that "100% of net profits will go to The Monarch Butterfly Eclipse Foundation", which will help protect Monarch habitats and population health.
Queen's University Relations and the department of Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy have partnered to put together this amazing brochure that summarizes safe practices when observing a total solar eclipse alongside some interesting eclipse facts!
Plans are in motion to have these distributed throughout the Kingston community, and included below is a PDF version for download.