A Historic Event: The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
In just a few weeks, a historic event will be taking place: a total solar eclipse will be sweeping the nation! Multiple states will be in the path of totality, witnessing this rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience! Here’s everything we know about the 2024 total solar eclipse and ways you can celebrate this incredible event in the Rochester area!
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when and where
The total solar eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8th. The duration of totality will be about 4 minutes and 27 seconds. This year, totality will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. and will end in Maine at 3:35 p.m.
There are three cities in New York where the eclipse will be visible: Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo. The ability to witness the eclipse in full is dependent on which path of the Moon’s shadow the city is in. The Moon’s shadow has two paths: the umbra and the penumbra. These cities in New York are in the path of the Moon’s umbra, so they will witness the total solar eclipse. Other cities in the path of the Moon’s penumbra will witness a partial solar eclipse—where the Sun is in a crescent shape and the sky darkens only slightly.
The entire event will last about 2 hours and 26 minutes. According to University of Rochester physics and astronomy professor Dan Watson, total solar eclipses occur along the same trajectory only once every 400 years on average. So this is a huge historical event! Watson explains that total solar eclipses are rare because they can only occur when the Moon lays between the Earth and the Sun. And since the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is tilted slightly, this alignment is very rare.
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The total solar eclipse
But what is a total solar eclipse, and how can you safely view one? A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the face of the Sun. Those within the narrow path of totality can witness it, and those who aren’t see a partial solar eclipse.
According to Timeanddate, there are five stages of a total solar eclipse. The first stage is the partial eclipse. This is when the Moon covers part of the Sun, giving the Sun a crescent shape. Next, the total solar eclipse begins. The Moon entirely covers the Sun, and you can see a ring of light and Baily’s Beads.
The next stage is when the maximum eclipse and totality occurs. During this stage, the Sun’s corona can be seen. The sky goes completely dark, the temperature drops, and the animals go silent. Totality can last from a few seconds to 7.5 minutes. Next, the total eclipse starts to end, and the Moon starts to move away so the Sun is visible again. Lastly, the partial eclipse ends. The Moon has completely left the Sun’s disk, and the eclipse has ended.
To view a total solar eclipse, you’ll need ISO-certified-safe solar eclipse glasses, which can be purchased on Amazon. You can only take the glasses off when the sky has turned dark, and the solar corona has appeared.
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university of rochester’s eclipse festivities
The University of Rochester has many events planned to celebrate the upcoming total solar eclipse. On the day of the eclipse, the university canceled classes from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. so students could witness the event. The moment of totality will run from 3:20 to 3:23, and the university will be livestreaming the eclipse.
In addition to this, the university will be handing out solar eclipse glasses beginning March 25th, at any River Campus Library Q&i desk, the Event and Classroom Management help desk, and at the Campus Information Center in Wilson Commons. Glasses will also be available on the Hajim, Eastman, and Wilson quads on the day of the eclipse.
The university has various special events planned. The first is the Eclipse of the Art Workshop at the Memorial Art Gallery. It is open to the public, and tickets are $40. Participants will paint a total solar eclipse landscape, and the event will take place on April 6th and 7th. The next event is the Indigenous Sky-Earth Eclipse Festival on April 7th in the Rush Rhees Library. It’s free and open to the public. The event features lectures, storytelling, demonstrations, and more from scientists, artists, and educators from Indigenous regions in the US and Canada.
The Memorial Art Gallery is also hosting a Paint & Sip on the morning of April 8th, before the eclipse. The cost to attend is $25 and it’s open to the public. Participants will paint a portion of a large canvas together, for a piece inspired by Rochester’s place along the path of totality. Lastly, visitors can experience the eclipse at the Memorial Art Gallery on April 8th. Visitors can bring a blanket to camp out in the Centennial Sculpture Park, enjoying a cup of coffee or cocoa, half-moon cookies, and more, while listening to space tunes. The cost is included with museum admission and the event is open to the public.
conclusion
The 2024 total solar eclipse is a huge event, and it should be celebrated! People from all over the world are traveling to the various states in the path of totality to witness the eclipse. Hotels and flights are booked up, schools are canceling, and residents are being advised to leave earlier for work the day of the eclipse. So many people are gathering around to experience and celebrate this event. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun!
