For basic information about how, when and where to experience North America’s total solar eclipse and why you must try to get yourself to the path of totality on April 8, check my main feed.
You don’t need to know anything about astronomy to enjoy the total solar eclipse coming to North America on Monday, April 8—but you can have scientists explain it all to you.
One of only a handful of observatories within the 10,000 miles long, 115 miles wide path of totality, Upstate New York’s Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory is gearing up for a major eclipse event from April 5-8.
The only public astronomy-based organization in the Adirondack mountains, the observatory is located close to Tupper Lake, where totality will last 3 minutes and 33 seconds.
Major Location
Preparations have been underway for this event for years and the observatory is expected to be one of the major viewing locations in the region. “The combination of clear skies, the location of the sky center and its proximity to the center of the path of totality is attracting astrophysicists, professional and amateur astronomers, along with a number of astrophotographers to the community for the celestial event,” said Seth McGowan, President of the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory. “Tupper Lake is attracting many prominent scientists and professionals who have decided to make our community their ‘home base’ during the eclipse.”
NASA will take a feed from one of the observatory’s solar telescopes for its livestream event on NASA TV.
Massive Screen
The event—which will be free, with tickets bookable in advance later this month—will feature guest lectures, a NASA livestream on an 18 ft. screen, an indoor planetarium, citizen science projects and solar telescopes. Eclipse glasses will be available, as will commemorative merchandise, food, art and music. “You don’t need an advanced degree to get excited about the eclipse and learn about the universe,” said McGowan. It will be the first time the Adirondacks have ever been in the direct path of totality.
Other observatories within the path of totality include:
Second Event
The observatory has also been working with The Wild Center, a natural history museum, on its own eclipse event (April 5-8). It will be open 10:00 to 18:00 on Monday, April 8—with totality at 15:24 p.m. EDT. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Every ticket includes a pair of eclipse-viewing glasses.
Tupper Lake’s Raquette River Brewing will also release a special eclipse beer during the event on Saturday, April 6.
According to Timeanddate’s climate statistics, there’s a 76% chance of a cloudy sky on April 8 in Tupper Lake. Though anything can happen during the day—and it will still get pitch black, whatever the weather.
I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
