Ahead of Monday’s total solar eclipse, experts are advising people to not look at the sky without a special pair of glasses. Dubbed the Great North American Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 as it will be in the path of totality − a narrow slice of geography with an optimal view of the moon perfectly in line with the sun.
All New Yorkers, regardless of whether they view the celestial phenomenon with complete or partial totality, should beware of viewing the eclipse with the naked eye, according to NASA. Looking directly at the sun could “instantly cause severe eye injury,” the space agency said.
Starting at 2:07 p.m. on April 8 in Rochester, the moon will begin to appear to move in front of the sun. Totality begins at 3:20 p.m. and will last for 3 minutes and 38 seconds (plus or minus a few seconds depending where you are standing.) By 4:33 p.m. the moon will have moved past the sun returning the light to normal.
In New York, Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester will all be in the path of totality, as will Watertown and Plattsburgh. Locally, Brockport is directly on the center line of totality, as is the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls.
If you have glasses from a prior solar eclipse − like 2017 or obtained a pair for the partial solar eclipse in October − you can use those.
Where to find solar eclipse 2024 glasses in Rochester NY
The Rochester Museum & Science Center purchased roughly 500,000 pairs of eclipse glasses ahead of the eclipse. You can buy eclipse glasses at the museum or planetarium in Rochester or at the nature center in Ontario County for $2.50 per pair. Eclipse glasses are also available in the museum’s online store for $25 for a 10-pack.
Some local groups and school districts are also distributing glasses. Many of the planned events throughout the Rochester region include eclipse glasses with the purchase of a ticket. Monroe County library branches are also distributing glasses – though some are sharing glasses with admission to planned eclipse-related events, and some will make the eclipse glasses available just before eclipse day.
Some other local stores also have some eclipse glasses available, including area Wegmans, Pet World in Greece and Fairport, Laughing Gull Chocolates in Rochester, Neutral Ground Coffeehouse in Rochester, Debbie Supply in Eeast Rochester and Dan’s Crafts & Things in Irondequoit.
You can also buy solar eclipse glasses online, but be sure to check that the filter material conforms to ISO 12312-2, the international standard for filters for direct observation of the sun, according to the RMSC. (Celestron, a reputable maker of telescopes and binoculars, uses a “Solar Safe” logo to represent its compliance with ISO 12312-2.)
Purchasing genuine eclipse glasses online can be tricky because counterfeit glasses flooded marketplaces in the weeks before previous solar eclipses, according to the American Astronomical Society. In turn, the American Astronomical Society has a list of approved vendors for eclipse glasses and telescopes. Many local retail stores, including Walmart and Lowes, are expected to sell the glasses as the eclipse approaches.
NationalEclipse.com has curated its own offering of glasses (approved by the American Astronomical Society), which are available for purchase online. Packs of 25 glasses cost $58.75, or $2.35 each.
Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun, Dan Schneiderman, the eclipse partnership coordinator for the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Do not use the following materials for solar viewing: CDs, mylar ballons, laser show glasses or 3D glasses.
