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On the afternoon of April 8, 2024, New York will experience one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena: a total solar eclipse. On that day, the Sun and Moon will align over New York, encompassing those in the direct path of totality with a spectacular sight. All New York residents beyond the path of totality will experience what is called a "partial" eclipse.
NASA's Interactive Eclipse Map
Enter in your zip code to view the eclipse path! Map is easiest to use on a desktop. Via NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio.
How to Watch in the Capital Region
Capital Region residents staying home will still be able to see a substantial celestial event if the weather cooperates. The entire eclipse will take about 2 hours, 25 minutes from start to finish if you're viewing it from Albany. The moon will begin to block the sun starting at 2:12 p.m., reach maximum coverage at about 3:36 p.m., and end at 4:36 p.m.
For information on accessibility options offered at parks and sites hosting viewing events either along the path of totality or along the partial path, please click here.
How to Safely Enjoy the Eclipse
Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing, according to NASA's official Eclipse Viewing Safety Guide.
Viewing any part of the bright 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.
When watching a partial or annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.
Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.
Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
Resources for Educators and Schools
The New York State Education Department encourages schools to review their calendars sooner rather than later to avoid potential conflicts with other school related events and activities. The eclipse will begin and occur shortly after 2:00 pm, which may overlap with school dismissal. Explore an extended collection of resources at PBSLearningMedia.org and in WXXI's Eclipse Toolkit for Educators and Parents.