Have you ever wondered if the moon could line up perfectly between the Earth and the sun? Well, it can! It’s called a solar eclipse. And a total solar eclipse will be happening right here in Rochester on April 8, 2024.
According to Dan Schneiderman, eclipse partnerships coordinator from the Rochester Museum and Science Center, “Solar eclipses happen every eighteen to twenty-four months somewhere on Earth, but the average time that a total solar eclipse happens in the same exact location is somewhere between 375 and 400 years.”
That means that for many Rochesterians, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On April 8, the process will begin at 2:07 p.m., when the moon starts to move in front of the sun. By 3:20 p.m., the moon will completely obscure the sun’s disks or light. Scientists call this entering totality.
When we enter totality, it won’t be dark like it is in the middle of the night. It will be more like dusk. Think about how it is an hour after the sun first sets.
The length of totality depends on physical location. In Rochester, the length will be three minutes and thirty-eight seconds.
During totality, you can expect the temperature to drop a few degrees, similar to how it does at night. Some wildlife will react to these changes.
“Birds tend to go back to their nests, cows back to their barns. They think it’s nighttime,” says Schneiderman. Don’t worry, your average dog, cat, or fish won’t be affected at all.
Scientists can easily predict future solar eclipses for centuries to come based on the positions of the sun, the Earth, and the moon. In fact, in 1925, during the last total solar eclipse in Rochester, researchers knew about the 2024 one. The next time there will be a total solar eclipse in Rochester will be 2144—120 years from now!
“We are lucky here in Rochester, because unlike other spots, our average [wait] for a total solar eclipse is around 100 to 120 years,” says Schneiderman.
The total solar eclipse is expected to bring in a large number of tourists to Rochester and surrounding areas. Schneiderman say that the Rochester area is expecting between 375,000 and 500,000 visitors between the nine counties that will experience the eclipse. That’s on top of the 1.1 million people who already live here.
Although it seems far away, planning for events related to the eclipse in April is underway. The RMSC will host a three-day festival entitled “Roc the Eclipse,” which will include special speakers, hands-on activities, community activities, food trucks, and more.
As of now, there is a 51% chance of a sunny day on April 8, which might change. However, even if it is partially cloudy, viewers in the area will still be in a prime location to watch the eclipse. No matter what the weather is make sure you only look at an eclipse with special safety glasses called eclipse glasses. If you look at the sun without them you can really hurt your eyes, so remember to be safe! Eclipse glasses are available at RMSC.
For more information about the total solar eclipse, related events, and where to get glasses, visit rochestereclipse2024.org.
