In Westchester County on April 8th, we will be treated to views of a near total Solar Eclipse! New York State is in the path of totality, and we can expect to see approximately 91% totality in our area. This rare event is a fun one for families to celebrate and learn more about. Children of all ages will enjoy taking part in activities and events that mark this astronomical event. New York State will not be in the path of a total solar eclipse again until 2079.
Westchester County has a number of events leading up to the eclipse, as well as ways to celebrate and view it together on April 8th.
Our amazing Westchester County resources, such as the Westchester Library System and Westchester Parks and Recreation, are hard at work helping families prepare for this unusual event. Many libraries, such as Greenburgh Public Library and Mount Pleasant Public Libraries, are handing out eclipse viewers, while others are hosting pinhole projector making events, or live streaming parties, such as Chappaqua Library and Lewisboro Library. Governor Kathy Hochul has also designated places where eclipse viewers can be picked up at no cost. Our local pick-up site is the Ardsley Service Area on Interstate 87.
Westchester County Parks has also organized five family friendly viewing parties where free glasses will also be distributed.
Live Updates
Univision allows you to enter your zip code for viewing times. Click here!
CNN has live updates and an interactive map to find the best time to be outside. Details here!
For more information on the eclipse, visit https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/
Need to Know:
- Looking directly at the sun is very dangerous and can be damaging to eyes and vision. However you decide to mark this occasion be sure to protect your eyes from the sun. This can be done using special solar eclipse glasses, such as the ones being distributed, or by not looking directly at the eclipse and instead using a pinhole viewer - we show you how to make one here!
- We will be able to see the eclipse at approximately 2 p.m. and it will peak at near totality around 3:20 p.m.
Viewing The Solar Eclipse: How To Make A Pinhole Projector
Live Viewing Parties at Westchester County Parks
The following Westchester County Park locations will host solar eclipse events:
- Cranberry Lake Preserve in North White Plains, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Lasdon Park, Arboretum, and Veterans Memorial in Katonah, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration required; $7 - $15 per person.
- Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Parking is free. Eclipse glasses will be provided.
Cross County Shopping Center Viewing Party
Barton Orchards Viewing Party
Ossining Public Library Viewing Party
From their website:
Come and view the 2024 solar eclipse at the Ossining Public Library!
On April 8, from around 2:00 to after 4:00 PM, a total eclipse of the sun will occur in New York State for the first time in a century. Within a narrow path from the western to the northern corners of the state, residents and visitors will experience the full extent of the eclipse's effects. While Ossining does not fall within this area, we will still be able to enjoy a partial eclipse, provided the sky is clear enough to view it.
Meet at 1 PM in the Budarz Theater for an informational presentation on the eclipse, on proper safety procedures and indirect viewing methods. Attendees will be welcome to come outside as the eclipse approaches, where a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses* will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Meanwhile, we will be projecting the NASA eclipse broadcast livestream in the theater, which attendees can watch as they wish or should the weather prove uncooperative.
*to ensure that all attendees are able to receive glasses, none will be made available before this time.
All ages are welcome.
Lewisboro Library Events, South Salem
More Eclipse Activities and Events:
March 18th - March 30th Solar Eclipse Grab & Go for Families at Mount Pleasant Public Library
March 28th Build a Solar Eclipse Viewer at Dobbs Ferry Public Library
Multiple Dates Total Solar Eclipse Celebration at Hudson River Museum
April 1st Family Talk on Solar Eclipses with Charles Fulco at Halperin Memorial Library Bldg.
April 2nd Pinhole Projector Making Project at John C. Hart Public Library, Yorktown
April 3rd Moon Phases at Mount Pleasant Public Library
April 8th NASA's Live Viewing of the Eclipse at The Hendrick Hudson Library
April 8th NASA's Live Viewing of the Eclipse at Chappaqua Library
April 8th Eclipse Storytime and Craft at John C. Hart Library, Yorktown
Are we missing an eclipse event that other families would enjoy? Email me to have it added to our calendar!
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