State Parks and Historic Sites to host solar eclipse events

NEW YORK — New York State Parks and Historic Sites will host a range of events and activities to celebrate the rare total solar eclipse passing through Western New York, the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks on April 8, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in a press release.

This cosmic event happens once every 400 years in the same location. The release said 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.

“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 the 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.”

Events at many state parks and historic sites are facilitating 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, the release said.

On April 8, numerous eclipse-viewing gatherings are scheduled, often featuring eclipse-themed activities, discussions and trivia, food or snacks and distribution of solar viewing glasses to prevent severe eye injuries.

People who would like to register for the dozens of events and activities hosted at New York state parks and historic sites — both the day of and leading up to the eclipse — may do so through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation event calendar and eclipse website.

Hochul previously announced that beginning on April 4, scientists, subject matter experts and astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will be providing programming and exhibits at Niagara Falls State Park as well as throughout the city at locations including the Niagara Falls Public Libraries, The Underground Railroad Heritage Center, The Aquarium of Niagara, the New York Power Authority Power Vista and the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

All events will be free and open to the public (reservations may be required based on space availability) throughout the entire weekend leading up to the April 8 event. The release said NASA will be hosting similar events in several other cities throughout the path of totality. A full list of events can be found at the 2024 Solar Eclipse | Niagara Falls USA website.

During the afternoon of April 8, a total eclipse will encompass the western and northern parts of the state. In less than 15 minutes within a 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. window, the moon will pass between the earth and sun, turning day into night for one-and-a-half to three-and-a-half minutes.

The roughly 100-mile wide path of totality will enter the southwestern part of the state at just after 3:15 p.m. and will depart northern New York just before 3:30 p.m.

Cities and towns within this path include Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Old Forge, Lake Placid and Plattsburgh. The entire event will last for up to two and a half hours, according to the release, marking the time the sun is first obstructed to the last moments when the moon’s shadow is cast.

For other areas of the state that are outside the path, there will still be quite a celestial spectacle, according to the release. The minimum coverage in the state will be on Long Island, with the sun being shadowed at 88% there; New York City will see 89% coverage with 96% in the Capital Region. The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will not be until August 2044.

Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. According to NASA, 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.

The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses, polarized or otherwise, are not a safe replacement for solar eclipse glasses.

In the release, Hochul strongly encourages eclipse enthusiasts to partake in this once-in-a-generation event safely by:

• Protecting your eyes with specialized solar viewing glasses

• Checking traffic before heading out for this event as higher volumes of visitors are anticipated

• Preparing for the weather

• Bringing the proper gear and watching out for ticks if camping

For the last 17 months, an interagency task force, comprised of nearly two dozen state agencies and authorities, has been collaborating on plans to ensure a safe and memorable viewing experience for New York State’s residents and visitors.

It is focused on building awareness of the State as a prime location to experience the eclipse by gathering important safety and preparedness information, amplifying and supporting region-specific viewing activities and maintaining regular communication with local governments and municipalities, especially those within the path of totality.

New York’s public safety efforts align with the State’s normal jurisdictional role over state parks and State roads and support local governments in their planning and decision-making following their own codes, laws and needs as this exciting event approaches.

Public safety challenges for such an event include traffic management, communications capabilities and public health and safety, the release said. State, county and local public safety and emergency management efforts have been and will continue to be tailored to the anticipated needs of an influx of those who come to view the eclipse from both inside and outside the state.

Solar eclipse events in the path of totality:

North Country/Adirondacks

Crown Point State Historic Site: Eclipse Viewing, Monday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Cumberland Bay State Park: Solar Eclipse Monday, Monday, April 8, 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wellesley Island State Park: Totality on the River, Monday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Greater Capital Region/Eastern Adirondacks

John Brown Farm: John Brown Farm Eclipse Viewing, Monday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Events at State Parks and Historic Sites Outside the Path of Totality (Partial Eclipse):

Greater Capital Region/Eastern Adirondacks

John Boyd Thacher State Park: Solar Eclipse: Activity Hour, Saturday, March 23, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.