On Monday, April 8, the moon will completely block the sun, and Syracuse will experience a solar eclipse, falling into a narrow strip of North America called the path of totality. According to NASA’s Eclipse Explorer, Syracuse will experience a total solar eclipse for one minute and 26 seconds at 3:23 p.m.! You won’t want to miss this one, because the next time a total eclipse hits New York State will be in 2079. Here are some fun local activities to celebrate this rare occasion!
College of Arts and Sciences Eclipse Celebration
Since our campus will be squarely in the path of totality for the eclipse, the Department of Physics will host eclipse activities on the Quad from 2:30–4:30 p.m. Physics lab manager Sam Sempere and others will host educational stations and talk about the event! Some eclipse glasses will be available. A&S has also compiled an eclipse webpage full of helpful and interesting information to help you plan your eclipse experience.
Solar Eclipse Sound Bathing and Drumming
Join the Barnes Center at The Arch and Hendricks Chapel on the Quad from 2:30-4 p.m. for an immersive solar eclipse viewing event! The event will start with a unique sound bathing experience and short guided meditation led by Jimbo Talbot of DrumQuest and members of the Hendricks Chapel community, and will end with celebratory drumming. The event will pause to allow participants to give their full attention to viewing the total solar eclipse. Viewing glasses will be provided. In addition to sound bathing and drumming, the Buddhist chaplaincy will offer an opportunity to participate in an April 8 Buddha’s Birthday ritual. All are welcome to participate or just take it in and add to the positive vibrations!
2024 Solar Eclipse Festival at the MOST
The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) is hosting a free outdoor festival on its east lawn in downtown Syracuse. There will be tabling activities, food trucks and free glasses (you’ll need those to keep your eyes safe!). Bring a blanket or towel and enjoy the eclipse at this museum-hosted festival!
Total Eclipse of the Park
The Syracuse Mets and Visit Syracuse are hosting the first-ever Total Eclipse of the Park at NBT Bank Stadium. Gates will open at 2 p.m. for fans to view the total solar eclipse, and the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive commemorative eclipse glasses! Physicist Dr. Meredith Wills will be in attendance to educate about the event and eclipses. After the eclipse, stick around to watch the Syracuse Mets face the Worcester Red Sox for NBT Bank Stadium’s first ever Dollar Monday game! First pitch is at 5:05 p.m.
Solar Party on Solar Street
From 11 a.m.–6 p.m., there will be an outdoor party at the Syracuse Inner Harbor, 425 Solar Street. There will be drinks, food trucks, music and free eclipse glasses! The event offers free parking and free admission.
Where to Find Eclipse Glasses
No matter where you go or what you decide to do to view the solar eclipse, remember that you’ll be staring directly at the sun, and regular sunglasses aren’t going to cut it! The above events are offering specialized eclipse glasses for free while supplies last, but here are some places where you can guarantee yourself a pair:
- Amazon
- Wegmans
- Warby Parker
- Student Living will be distributing solar eclipse glasses through the campus residence halls with instructions on how to view the eclipse safely.
Stay safe and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event!
Written By Esteban Quiñones ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.