Solar Eclipse On Long Island: How To See It, Pre-Eclipse Events

LONG ISLAND, NY — New York State Parks and Historic Sites are set to host events and activities to celebrate the rare total solar eclipse passing through New York, including the Long Island region, where most of the sun will be eclipsed, on April 8, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

This cosmic event 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 minimum coverage in the state will be on Long Island, with the sun being 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.

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 day-of and leading up to the eclipse — may do so through the OPRHP event calendar and eclipse website.

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.

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, the state wrote. 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.

Hochul strongly encouraged people 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.

Several pre-eclipse events are slated for two Long Island state parks:

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

"In anticipation of the inspiring cosmic display on April 8, New York State Parks is proud to offer a wide array of events and activities for people to learn about the total solar eclipse," New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons stated. "Our environmental educators and park personnel are prepared to welcome visitors from near and far, ensuring that this experience is both safe and memorable for all ages."

The roughly 100-mile wide path of totality will enter in 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 2-and-a-half hours, 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," the state wrote.

New York City will see 89 percent coverage with 96 percent in the Capital Region. The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will not be until August 2044, the state wrote.