Mike Miller Park is working to assist other communities across the world to view solar eclipses safely.
The park has become a registered glasses collection center for Astronomers Without Borders and Explore Scientific. Park staff are encouraging residents to keep their ISO-approved eclipse glasses and take them to the park to be donated to schools and other institutions in countries that need them but glasses are otherwise unavailable.
Populated areas of South America and southeastern Asia will be in the path of solar eclipses in 2019. South America will be in the path of totality; southeastern Asia will experience an annular eclipse, where the event will not reach totality. According to a park release, millions will be in the viewing path of at least a partial eclipse. The park intends to send glasses collected to schools and agencies in those regions.
Eclipse ready were three families at Kentucky Dam Beach from Indianapolis, Ind., Madison, Ind., and Louisville.
Residents who are unsure of the quality or expiration date of their glasses may still donate them at the park, as Astronomers Without Borders and Explore Scientific will examine each pair before distribution.
Residents may visit the park visitors center during office hours to donate; glasses may also be left in the drop box at the front door of the center.
For more information about the program, message park staff on Facebook, or visit https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/