Preparing for the 2024 Solar Eclipse in New York

Looking forward to the 2024 solar eclipse? Many parts of North America will have an excellent chance to view this important astronomical event, and the state of New York has a front-row seat.

The path of totality in 2024 will start south of the border, cross into Texas, and spread northeast. The eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024 at around 3:00 PM in New York. New York City is not in the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse, but will be closer to it than it was during the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse.

What to Expect During the Solar Eclipse

The previous solar eclipse in North America occurred in August 2017, but the path of totality for that eclipse did not include any part of New York state. With the 2024 solar eclipse, many New Yorkers will have a great view.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. This causes the moon’s shadow to cross the earth’s surface. Basically, two shadows are formed during an eclipse by the moon, namely, the penumbra and the umbra. The penumbra results in viewers only seeing a partial solar eclipse, while the umbra creates a total solar eclipse with a narrower shadow.

You can view features such as solar prominences and solar flares with the naked eye only when the moon covers the sun, known as totality. However, during the rest of the solar eclipse, it is crucial to put on special eclipse glasses like the ones we sell to view the sun. Eye damage can result from looking at a solar eclipse with the naked eye.

A solar eclipse occurs about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse. Normally, the two eclipses come hand in hand, but sometimes there can be three during the same eclipse season.

It is unclear what the weather will be like on the day of the 2024 solar eclipse, but over the last 20 years, April 8 has been cloudy. Even if that day is cloudy, the sky will still become dark as night in the afternoon, which will be very hard to miss. Also, not many parts of the nation will experience the eclipse – making the 2024 eclipse an event to anticipate for those in and near New York.

Best Place to View the Solar Eclipse in New York

Rochester is one of the best places to be on April 8, 2024, at precisely 3:20 PM, since it sits at the center of the path of totality. Rochester will host festivals, concerts, and other significant events to celebrate the solar eclipse.

If you don’t want to deal with the crowds and traffic of a major city, however, there are plenty of smaller towns in New York that can provide you a front-row seat to the eclipse. The further north you go, the better: In places like Watertown and Oswego, the duration of totality will be more than three minutes.

Wherever you go, the 2024 solar eclipse represents an important opportunity: The next cross-country solar eclipse in North America won’t happen until 2045.

Cities to Visit in New York for the Eclipse

The following cities in New York will have the best view of the eclipse:

  • Cleveland
  • Buffalo
  • South shore of Lake Ontario
  • Adirondacks
  • Syracuse
  • Oswego
  • Watertown
  • Ithaca
  • Cortland
  • Niagara Falls
  • Rochester

Safety Glasses

American Paper Optics is the leading manufacturer of 3D products and was a major supplier of eclipse glasses for the 2017 solar eclipse. Since then, we’ve been preparing for the next big eclipse in 2024. With our CE- and ISO-certified eclipse glasses, you can safely witness one of nature’s grandest spectacles. Order your eclipse safety glasses, scope out an ideal viewing spot in New York, and get ready for the 2024 total solar eclipse!