People in Toronto can score free glasses to safely watch the 2024 solar eclipse starting this week, and here's the scoop on how you can get your hands on a pair.

April 8 marks the first solar eclipse visible in Toronto since 2017, and last near-total eclipse until 2099, so you definitely don't want to miss it — and there are plenty of fun ways that you can experience it — but it's imperative that you take precautions when viewing the eclipse.

While rare and fascinating to watch, a solar eclipse can also cause serious damage to your eyes if you look at it directly, so safe solar viewing glasses are an absolute must.

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While you can order them online from a number of reputable sellers, the Dunlap Institute at U of T has partnered with the Toronto Public Library to offer free solar eclipse glasses to the public.

Starting today, nearly every library branch in the city will have a limited number of glasses to give out so that you can safely watch the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.

The Dunlap Institute and TPL only have limited numbers, so they recommend heading out to pick up your pair ASAP — there's only a little over three weeks until the eclipse, after all!

If you want more eclipse-themed fun in your life, TPL is also hosting a ton of workshops in collaboration with Dunlap up until the eclipse, from solar viewing to creating pinhole viewers, and attendees also get to go home with a pair of free eclipse viewing glasses.