Experience the Total Solar Eclipse in New York

Witness Totality on April 8, 2024

Special Town Note:  So that everyone can safely view this exciting event with their families and friends, please take note that ALL TOWN OFFICES WILL CLOSE AT NOON on Monday, April 8th.

This total solar eclipse is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Occurring in the same place only once every 400 years, New York State will be at the center of it all on April 8, 2024.

New York is the perfect place to take in the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, as several regions stretching from Chautauqua-Allegheny through the Thousand Islands will be in the direct path of totality. Because the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will not be viewed again for another 20 years, New York State is expecting high turn-out in many regions to view this event.

Plan for Heavy Travel and Venues

Planning to enjoy the eclipse safely is important and may require extra time to plan for support and accessibility for people with disabilities, the elderly or young children. Here’s everything you need to know to have a safe and enjoyable eclipse viewing experience as you get a front row seat to this extraordinary cosmic occurrence as the total solar eclipse cuts a 124-mile path across the Empire State.

• Check traffic before heading out for this epic event.
• Prepare for the weather.
• If camping, bring the proper gear and watch out for ticks.

Important Eclipse Viewing Safety Tips

These are just some of the many important tips to keep in mind to have a safe and enjoyable eclipse viewing experience in Lockport:

• Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse (except during the limited time of totality when the sun is completely covered by the moon—and even then, with caution).
• Sunglasses will NOT protect your eyes.
• If your eyes are exposed to the sun without the appropriate protection, it can cause “eclipse blindness,” which can temporarily or permanently damage your eyes.

Eclipse Viewing

• Eclipse glasses are available for purchase at the Challenger Center, 160 Washburn Street, Lockport. It is very important to view a solar eclipse without harming your eyes by using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses to protect your eyes with specialized solar viewing glasses.
• Another way to view a solar eclipse is through a pinhole projectorwhere you look at a projected image made through a pinhole in cardboard paper. Or even easier, grab a colander from the kitchen (not the mesh kind, the one with holes in plastic or metal)!

Eclipse Time Schedule

The eclipse will begin in western New York shortly after 2 pm. Full totality will begin about 3:17 pm, moving through the state about 3:25 pm. Locations in the path of totality could experience total darkness for up to 4 minutes. 

 For an expanded view the schedule, click on 2024 Eclipse Schedule.

The information can also be found on the Town of Lockport’s Facebook page Town of Lockport NY Facebook or on the Town’s homepage in the community calendar Total Eclipse Information.