ONCE and the Ministry of Science give away 2 million glasses for the solar eclipse: this is how you can get them

Looking ahead to the next solar eclipse on August 12, something as important as find a good location to see it is to get hold of good approved glasses. X-rays and photographic negatives are not valid, as has traditionally been said. It is also not safe to look at the eclipse with conventional sunglasses.

Such acts, such as looking with the naked eye, can cause serious eye problems. This is something they know a lot about. ONCE. That’s why, they just launched next to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Government of Spain a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting eyesight at these types of events. And since there is no better way to raise awareness than by giving access to solutions, an important part of the campaign will be the distribution of 2 million free eclipse glasses throughout the country.

¿Where can you find the ONCE eclipse glasses?

The glasses will begin to be distributed completely free starting next Monday, August 3. 1,700,000 units will be distributed through ONCE points of sale throughout Spain. The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) will be responsible for the rest, which will distribute them among research centers, science museums and other public entities in the field of science, innovation and universities. Specifically, this is the list of museums and scientific centers that the Ministry of Science has shared:

1. Interactive Museum of Music of Malaga – MIMMA
2. Andalusia Science Park – Granada

1. Aragonese Museum of Paleontology – Teruel

1. Museum of Science and the Cosmos – Tenerife
2. Elder Museum of Science and Technology – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
3. Eyes to the sky – La Palma

1. Science Museum of Castilla-La Mancha (MCCM) – Cuenca
2. Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA) – Cuenca

1. The Light Factory. Energy Museum – Ponferrada
2. Valladolid Science Museum – Valladolid

1. Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona
2. Mathematical Museum of Catalonia – MMACA – Cornellà de Llobregat
3. Montsec Astronomical Park – Lleida

1. National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) – Alcobendas
2. National Museum of Natural Sciences – Madrid
3. Royal Botanical Garden – Madrid

• FORAL COMMUNITY OF NAVARRA

1. University of Navarra Science Museum – Pamplona

1. Big History. Scientific and environmental dissemination center – Aras de los Olmos
2. City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia
3. Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia
4. Alicante Water Museum
5. Museum of Natural Sciences of Valencia
6. Didactic and Interactive Museum of Sciences of the Vega Baja del Segura (MUDIC-VBS-CV)
7. Castellón Planetarium

1. National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) – A Coruña
2. Coruña Scientific Museums – A Coruña

1. House of Sciences of Logroño

1. Eureka! Zientzia Museoa – San Sebastian

1. Bioparc Aquarium of Gijón

1. Museum of Science and Water of Murcia

As for the ONCE points of salethe glasses approved for the eclipse will be distributed at ONCE points of sale throughout Spain. If you want to know which one is closest to your home, you can use the application My Seller ONCEwhich features a very easy-to-use drop-down map. In total there are 35,000 points of sale throughout the Spanish territory, so you are sure to have one quite close by.

Other initiatives

The coupon for August 12, 2026 from the ONCE draw will be dedicated, as it could not be otherwise, to the solar eclipse. It is another of the initiatives that have emerged from this project between ONCE and the Ministry of Science, but not the only one.

The agreement was signed yesterday at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Spain (MUNCYT) in A Coruña. The signatories were the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, and the first vice president of Institutional Coordination, Solidarity and External Relations of the General Council of ONCE, Alberto Durán.

Together, they announced the initiative to distribute eclipse glasses and sell a special coupon, but also many other activities. And with this signature, it has been decided to incorporate the ONCE Social Group into the meetings of the Interministerial Commission for the preparation, organization and coordination of actions related to the Trio of Eclipsesas well as to provide resources and educational materials that can be adapted, to guarantee the inclusion and cultural development of people with visual disabilities in particular and other disabilities. As Alberto Durán explained during the presentation, his goal is that after the eclipse no more people arrive at ONCE with vision problems. For this, awareness is a key point.

Guaranteed approval

To check that eclipse glasses are suitable, they must be approved according to the standard. EN ISO 12312-2:2015 and have the CE seal. The positive part is that these are distributed by two totally reliable institutions, such as ONCE and the Ministry of Science, so it is guaranteed that they have said seal. It is a nice initiative with which ONCE wants its clients to be very well protected in the face of the astronomical event of the year. And the best thing is that, well stored to avoid scratches or deterioration Otherwise, they can also be used to the solar eclipses of 2027 and 2028. An exciting time is coming for astronomy lovers in our country. Let’s enjoy it with protection.

Images | ONCE and Ministry of Science

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