Totality Rocks
4.8.2024
Total Solar Eclipse
A Total Solar Eclipse happening on April 8, 2024, is a once-in-a-lifetime event and Cayuga County is located in the path of totality! While solar eclipses are not rare, this is the only time in most people’s lifetime that they can see one in totality in Upstate New York
Our county is full of wide-open spaces and unobscured viewing locations, perfect for the viewing this amazing event! With epic viewing location, special events, viewing parties and festivals planned there is no place better than Cayuga County to view this amazing event.
You and your family will not want to miss this event and we encourage you to start planning today! Avoid the rush and stay an extra day or two and to explore all Cayuga County has to offer. There are plenty of accommodations , state parks and things to discover in Cayuga County that will leave you just as amazed as the sight of the eclipse.
Check back often as we will be updating this page as more information becomes available.
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
Have you ever experienced nighttime during daylight hours? A Total Solar Eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk, the temperature and wind will change and a change in animal behavior will be noted creating an experience that is unforgettable. This is the first total eclipse visible in our area since 1925, and the next one will not occur in our area until 2144!
Minutes of Totality for Each Location
Fair Haven
3:23 minutes
3:21:34
Cayuga
2:30 minutes
Weedsport
2:05 minutes
Union Springs
1:09 minutes
Auburn
1:04 minutes
3:22:20
Area Festivities & Places to Stay
Explore all Cayuga County has to Offer
Tips from NASA on How to Watch Safely
Both NASA and the National Parks Service say that the only way to safely view the eclipse directly is through specialized eye protection, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers. Eclipse glasses are worn just like regular glasses, while solar viewers are held in front of your eyes. 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. Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
Here are some important safety guidelines to follow during a total solar eclipse.
- View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
- You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.) Glasses can come off only during totality. Looking at the sun at any other time without approved safety glasses can permanently damage your eyesight.
- As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.
- Make sure you get your pair of glasses in advance of April 8, 2024 so you can view this celestial event safely. Glasses are available at the Equal Rights Heritage Center or by calling 315-255-1658.
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