View the solar eclipse at Rogers Center on April 8
For the first time since 1925, the Chenango County area will be in the path of totality for a full solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Visit the Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center from noon to 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime event. To view a map of the eclipse’s path of totality, visit science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024. (Photo from NASA)
SHERBURNE — Visit the Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, located at 2721 State Route 80 in Sherburne, from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8 to view the first full solar eclipse since 1925.
According to GreatAmericanEclipse.com, "While the sun is actually about 400 times larger in diameter than the moon, the moon is also about 400 times closer than the sun. Therefore, the sun and the moon appear to be about the same size in our sky.
"This single fact explains why we see total solar eclipses - the moon has an apparent size that just barely covers the sun completely, yet is not too large that the sun's atmosphere, its corona, is eclipsed as well. We on Earth occupy a celestial sweet spot to witness this sight."
Friends of Rogers Environmental Educator Ellen Rathbone said this is the first time since 1925 that the Chenango County area will be in the path of totality for a solar eclipse, which won't happen again until 2079.
"The eclipse is about four minutes long - but for us it will be less than two minutes based on the maps I'm seeing - for the 'big event,' but there will be gradual darkening and lightening for some time, which is why our participation time is a large window," she said. "We are outside the path of totality, but will be getting 97 to 98 percent, so still something to marvel at. The time to be looking up, if you have protective glasses, is between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m."
During Rogers' Solar Eclipse Day, visitors will be provided protective solar glasses to view the eclipse safely. There will also be a demonstration to learn how to make safe viewing devices at home out of boxes and tubes.
Rathbone stressed the eclipse should not be looked at without the protection of solar glasses or safe viewing devices as, although the sun will be covered by the moon, eyes can still be damaged from direct viewing.
"I think it’s just a perception on our part that well it’s going to be behind the moon, therefore it’s blocked. It's shady. You know, the sky is getting dark, it must be okay," she explained. "The sun will burn your eyes. It’s not just during the eclipse, it’s all the time. But we think, well if the moon is in front of it, then we can look at it. No, you can’t."
Additionally, those looking to snap a photo of the eclipse should refrain from doing so, unless they have a safety filter specifically made for photographing an eclipse. Otherwise, cameras can be damaged.
Rathbone said it is predicted to be overcast in the area during the eclipse, with an estimated 60 to 80 percent obscurement of the event. However, she said even if the eclipse itself is obscured by cloud cover, some effects will still be noticeable.
"We will still see it will get dark. We will be aware that, ‘oh, my god, something is happening.’ But you’re just not going to be able to look up and see the moon pass in front of the sun because it will be overcast," she said.
Those looking to see the eclipse in 100 percent totality can travel to the Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, Plattsburgh, Watertown, and Rome areas. Rathbone also said clear skies will be more likely along Lake Ontario.
For more information on the upcoming eclipse, visit GreatAmericanEclipse.com and Eclipsophile.com. A map of the path of totality can be seen at science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024.
For more information on the Friends of Rogers and their upcoming events and programs, visit FriendsofRogers.org and the Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc. Facebook page.
According to GreatAmericanEclipse.com, "While the sun is actually about 400 times larger in diameter than the moon, the moon is also about 400 times closer than the sun. Therefore, the sun and the moon appear to be about the same size in our sky.
"This single fact explains why we see total solar eclipses - the moon has an apparent size that just barely covers the sun completely, yet is not too large that the sun's atmosphere, its corona, is eclipsed as well. We on Earth occupy a celestial sweet spot to witness this sight."
Friends of Rogers Environmental Educator Ellen Rathbone said this is the first time since 1925 that the Chenango County area will be in the path of totality for a solar eclipse, which won't happen again until 2079.
"The eclipse is about four minutes long - but for us it will be less than two minutes based on the maps I'm seeing - for the 'big event,' but there will be gradual darkening and lightening for some time, which is why our participation time is a large window," she said. "We are outside the path of totality, but will be getting 97 to 98 percent, so still something to marvel at. The time to be looking up, if you have protective glasses, is between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m."
During Rogers' Solar Eclipse Day, visitors will be provided protective solar glasses to view the eclipse safely. There will also be a demonstration to learn how to make safe viewing devices at home out of boxes and tubes.
Rathbone stressed the eclipse should not be looked at without the protection of solar glasses or safe viewing devices as, although the sun will be covered by the moon, eyes can still be damaged from direct viewing.
"I think it’s just a perception on our part that well it’s going to be behind the moon, therefore it’s blocked. It's shady. You know, the sky is getting dark, it must be okay," she explained. "The sun will burn your eyes. It’s not just during the eclipse, it’s all the time. But we think, well if the moon is in front of it, then we can look at it. No, you can’t."
Additionally, those looking to snap a photo of the eclipse should refrain from doing so, unless they have a safety filter specifically made for photographing an eclipse. Otherwise, cameras can be damaged.
Rathbone said it is predicted to be overcast in the area during the eclipse, with an estimated 60 to 80 percent obscurement of the event. However, she said even if the eclipse itself is obscured by cloud cover, some effects will still be noticeable.
"We will still see it will get dark. We will be aware that, ‘oh, my god, something is happening.’ But you’re just not going to be able to look up and see the moon pass in front of the sun because it will be overcast," she said.
Those looking to see the eclipse in 100 percent totality can travel to the Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, Plattsburgh, Watertown, and Rome areas. Rathbone also said clear skies will be more likely along Lake Ontario.
For more information on the upcoming eclipse, visit GreatAmericanEclipse.com and Eclipsophile.com. A map of the path of totality can be seen at science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024.
For more information on the Friends of Rogers and their upcoming events and programs, visit FriendsofRogers.org and the Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc. Facebook page.
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