April 8 is a date you will want to remember if you love solar eclipses, as one of the rarest is approaching New York.
On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State Parks and Historic Sites are set to host events and activities to celebrate the rare event. Starting today you can register for some of these events leading up to the big day.
This cosmic wonder happens once every 400 years in the same location. Events will be held both where the eclipse will be fully visible across a narrow route, referred to as the path of totality, and where visitors can experience a rare partial eclipse throughout the rest of the state.
The maximum obscuring of the sun in New York state will be on Long Island, where it will be shadowed at 88 percent there.
“While we prepare to welcome the public to our beautiful state parks for the total solar eclipse in New York state, we’re also offering dozens of events and activities leading up to this extraordinary event,” Hochul said in a news release. “Our top priority is ensuring that New Yorkers and visitors can safely witness this generational spectacle, and I encourage everyone to keep safety in mind so that all can savor this experience in our state.”
Beginning on Thursday, March 7, events at many state parks and historic sites will facilitate hands-on craft projects like Do-It-Yourself pinhole eclipse viewer construction as well as offer educational programs steeped in history and solar system science.
People who would like to register for the dozens of events and activities hosted at New York state parks and historic sites — both day-of and leading up to the eclipse — may do so through the OPRHP event calendar and eclipse website (below).
Here is how the total eclipse will develop across the State:
During the afternoon of April 8, a total eclipse will encompass the western and northern parts of New York state. In less than 15 minutes within a 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. window, the moon will pass between the earth and sun, turning day into night for 1-and-a-half minutes to 3-and-a-half minutes.
You are reminded that it is unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing, the state wrote. NASA warns that viewing any part of the sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
Two Long Island state parks will be offering events related to eclipses (see below).
Connetquot River State Park Preserve (address: 4090 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale)
Solar Eclipse 101
6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8
Women in Space!
6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 15
Solar Eclipse History
6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29
Sunken Meadow State Park (Governor Alfred E. Smith) (address: New York State Reference Route 908K, Kings Park)
Solar Eclipse 101
10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 24
Tiny Tots Programs: Mister Golden Sun
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28
Solar Eclipse History Family Program
6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29
Register, HERE for the events, and to see the for full calendar of events
