On Long Island, a partial solar eclipse is set to occur in the tri-state area. While it won’t be a total solar eclipse, residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties can expect to witness the spectacle in about 90% totality just before 3:30 p.m. This event is significant as the New York metro region won’t witness another total eclipse until 2079. The eclipse is expected to begin around 2:10 p.m. and last until 4:36 p.m., with the sun being 90% covered by the moon at 3:25 p.m. The moon will completely drift northward by the end of the eclipse.
The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will affect over 180 million people in the path of the eclipse, extending from Mexico’s Pacific Coast through North America and reaching the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. New Yorkers can expect to experience the eclipse just after 2 p.m. on the day of the event. A coronal mass ejection from the sun is expected during the eclipse, which poses a risk to observers’ eyes. To view the event safely, individuals must use proper eyewear like eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers. The next total solar eclipse after this event is set to occur on August 12, 2026.
Various viewing parties will be organized across Long Island to observe the solar eclipse, including locations such as Hofstra University, SUNY Old Westbury, and Jones Beach. State parks like Sunken Meadow State Park, Heckscher State Park, and Hallock State Park Preserve will also host viewing parties. The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale is planning a family-friendly viewing party with hands-on activities for children, including complimentary solar eclipse glasses. The Long Island Explorium is hosting a viewing party with limited tickets available for $10 each, including a pair of eclipse glasses.
To view the solar eclipse safely, it is crucial to wear special glasses to protect the eyes from the sun. While Long Island will not experience a total eclipse, free eclipse glasses are available at various locations across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including all Warby Parker stores and local libraries. Additionally, limited edition “I Love NY” eclipse glasses will be distributed by the state, including at the Long Island Welcome Center on the Long Island Expressway Eastbound in Dix Hills. These efforts aim to ensure that individuals can safely observe the partial solar eclipse occurring in the region.
