Europe runs short of eclipse glasses before Aug. 12 solar event
What's new: Spain’s government distributed 2 million free pairs, but shops in Madrid, Brussels and Paris still sold out or faced delays.
A rush to buy certified eclipse glasses swept across Europe ahead of the Aug. 12 solar eclipse, leaving pharmacies, opticians and museums short of stock in Spain, Belgium and France. In Spain, parts of the country are in the path of totality, and Madrid’s National Museum of Natural Sciences posted that its supply had run out. The museum is part of a government campaign distributing 2 million pairs for free. Some Madrid pharmacies were still selling glasses for 3 euros to 4 euros, while a Paris pharmacy expected a shipment of 500 more pairs after customers found its shelves empty. Doctors warned that looking directly at the sun during the eclipse can injure the retina.