Total Solar Eclipse 2024

Monday, April 8, 2024, from approximately 3:23–3:27 p.m. EDT

• The partial eclipse begins at 2:11:40 p.m. 

• Total eclipse begins at 3:23:53 p.m. 

• Total eclipse ends at 3:27:06 p.m. 

• Partial eclipse ends at 4:35:39 p.m. 

Safety Tip

You must wear eclipse glasses to look at the Sun when it is not totally eclipsed. You may look everywhere else without eclipse glasses, but not at the Sun.  During totality, from 3:23 p.m. to 3:27 p.m., no eclipse glasses are needed. In fact, you have to take them off for those 3 minutes or you won’t see anything at all!

Only people located in the path of totality will experience the total eclipse and for just 3 minutes, you’ll experience complete darkness as if a cloud has passed over the sun.

From our position in Canton, you’ll have a rare glimpse at the outer surface of the sun as it is completely obscured by the moon. You will not be able to view any of the surface of the sun, however thanks to protective eyewear, you will see the outer atmosphere of the sun which is called the corona–hot ionized gas being blown off the sun. 

It will get dark as night and the wind will pick up slightly. Dogs will bark, birds will start to roost, and insects will start to sing.

Approximately three minutes!

According to NASA, viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

To view the eclipse, we recommend specially designed glasses that are equipped with a solar filter to reduce the sun's intensity to safe levels for your eyes.  Beware of counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses now in circulation. Here is additional information from the American Astronomical Society.

For Laurentians celebrating the eclipse with us here in Canton, glasses will be available on April 8.

Viewing Tip

You must wear eclipse glasses to look at the Sun when it is not totally eclipsed. You may look everywhere else without eclipse glasses, but not at the Sun.  During totality, from 3:23 p.m. to 3:27 p.m., no eclipse glasses are needed. In fact, you have to take them off for those 3 minutes or you won’t see anything at all!

NASA Safety Information

A key indicator of safe eyewear is if they are labeled:  ISO 12312-2. You can also spot a good pair of eye protection if they appear to have a darker lens than a typical pair of sunglasses. Beware of counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses now in circulation. Here is additional information from the American Astronomical Society.

NASA Safety Information

The last total solar eclipse in Canton, New York was on September 10, 1569.  The next total solar eclipse won't be until August 2, 2399 making this a once in 10 lifetimes event!