August 2017

ICYMI: An eclipse is coming!

On Monday, August 21st, 2017, the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun, resulting in a total solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, so if you’ve been planning to work through the cosmic event, we suggest you reconsider — even though we won’t see the full effect. Eclipses take place fairly regularly, but this will be the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse visible across the United States in 99 years. The last time parts of the U.S. saw a full eclipse was in 1979.

The View from Upstate New York

Unfortunately, the United States is too big to give everyone an ideal view of this cosmic event. The total eclipse will be seen across a 70-mile-wide swath of the country from Oregon to South Carolina. Many people will travel south to view the eclipse from the path of totality, but if you’re stuck in Rochester, there will still be a spectacle to behold. From our position, we’ll see the moon cover 70% of the sun mid-eclipse. We can expect to start seeing exciting things shortly after 1 pm, with the eclipse reaching its maximum coverage at 2:35 pm. The eclipse will end at 3:52 pm.

Sneak a Peek — Safely!

We’ve all heard that looking directly at an eclipse can hurt our eyes, and those warnings often sound like old wives’ tales. According to the experts, though, it’s true. Even sneaking quick glances at near totality (which won’t even be visible from our location) can cause lasting eye damage. If you want to view the eclipse, even from Rochester, be sure to procure some legitimate solar viewers from a reputable, vetted brand. Sunglasses, which are thousands of times weaker than real eclipse glasses, can’t provide the protection you need.

Viewing Parties!

If you’d like to enjoy the eclipse in the company of physicists and astronomers, join the party at Rochester Museum & Science Center’s Strasenburgh Planetarium. You can snag some eclipse glasses there for just $2.

There will be viewing parties at four different libraries on the University of Rochester’s River Campus from 1 to 3:30 pm.

If you want to witness the eclipse but won’t be able to leave your home or workplace, take advantage of NASA’s 4-hour live-stream.