2017 Solar Eclipse Watched By Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Let’s face it. Less work was being done around the Hudson Valley Monday during the afternoon. Don’t worry, though, it won’t be happening again for about seven years, at least here in the United States.

All around the region, people gathered in numbers large and small to experience the first solar eclipse that achieved — at least for some parts of the country — a complete blackout, or totality. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Many had eclipse viewing glasses that allowed them to safely look at the sun to check the progress of the partial eclipse in the Hudson Valley.

Others crafted “viewing boxes,” fitted with a sheet of white paper at the far end that served as a screen and a pinhole at the other that allowed the sunlight to enter.

According to arstechnica.com, if you missed Monday’s eclipse, or if you just can’t get enough eclipses, the next total eclipse in the United State will occur on April 8, 2014.

That one will travel across the country from Texas to Maine.

So if you managed to score a pair of approved viewing sunglasses, hang onto them.

Credit for main photo and videos: Lanning Taliaferro/Patch Staff.