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WASHINGTON - They're the hottest commodity around and no one can find them. We're talking about eclipse glasses, and with the solar eclipse finally here, excited sky gazers are more desperate than ever to get their hands on a pair.
Earlier this week, we put out a long list of verified locations that were selling the glasses, but around the DMV, we know that many of them have sold out--and the same is true for the verified online merchants.
One thing is for sure: You can't watch the eclipse safely without protecting your eyes. If you plan to go outside during the eclipse to watch, GLASSES ARE A MUST. No ifs ands or buts about it. You can do serious, permanent damage to your eyes by looking at the sun with a naked eye during the eclipse--and no, sunglasses won't protect you.
Here's a list of a few spots around DC, Maryland and Virginia that we have confirmed HAVE HAD glasses since Friday. Of course, the list will constantly change, so use it as a guide and not a guarantee. You'll still want to call these locations before you head out to pick up a pair, and in some cases you may have to try more than once to get them.
From what we're hearing, they go fast--like hundreds of pairs in an hour fast. So when you hear they're available, don't hesitate! We will update this story periodically when we receive reports of glasses that either are available or aren't.
If you know of a place that definitely has them, do your fellow citizens a favor and email us to report them! You can also tweet at us @fox5dc, or post your sightings on our FOX 5 DC Facebook page.
Bradley Party and Variety
6922 Arlington Road, Bethesda
The store has been getting hundreds in at a time, but they're gone in minutes when they arrive, so you'll have to keep a close watch on them. They were expecting 600 more pairs on Friday morning.
Maketto
1351 H St. NE, Washington, DC
The folks at Guerilla Vending tweeted that they're giving away solar viewers in their vending machine at Maketto on H Street NE. They were out on Friday morning by 11:30 am, but tweeted that they'll have a few more on Saturday.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC
and
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, Va.
Both of these museums are giving away an allotment per day, starting when they open at 10 am, but they go fast. Like in minutes. Get there early and expect a line.
Warby Parker
This is hit or miss. They've been giving them away for some time, but their supply has dwindled. We were told there would be more at opening on Friday at the Bethesda Row store, but they seem to go--like the rest--really fast. We were also told some stores might restock over the weekend, but no guarantees. If you're near one of the DC area stores below, it's worth stopping in to ask. You might get lucky.
Maryland
Baltimore, Harbor East
807 Aliceanna Street
Bethesda, Bethesda Row
4821 Bethesda Avenue
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C.
Shaw
1924 8th Street NW
Georgetown
3225 M Street NW
Virginia
Tysons Corner
8013 Tysons Corner Center
National Zoo
The National Air and Space Museum will hand out free glasses at their eclipse viewing event at the National Zoo on Monday, but only while supplies last. The event takes place at Pachyderm Plaza (just outside of the Elephant Community Center) from 1 pm to 4 pm.
NASA eclipse day events
NASA says they'll give away free glasses at their eclipse viewing events on Monday. Click here to find one near you.
Still can't find them anywhere? Never fear. Here's how to make your own eclipse-viewing box, using an empty cereal box! It's easy.
And remember, we'll bring you live coverage of the solar eclipse as it makes its way across the country! While you're at work, you can watch along with us beginning at 11:30 am on fox5dc.com, the FOX 5 DC News app, our FOX 5 DC YouTube channel, and our FOX 5 DC Facebook page. We'll bring you live coverage beginning in Madras, Oregon and ending in Charleston, South Carolina--five hours straight! You won't miss a thing. We promise.