Mar. 21, 2024 – The Village of Kenmore (along with all of Erie County) will experience a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. The solar eclipse happens when the moon crosses between the earth and the sun – resulting in the sun being partially or totally blocked by the moon. Exact local times will vary depending on your location:
- The partial eclipse begins a little after 2:00 p.m. (EST)
- Totality will begin at about 3:15 p.m., depending on your location.
- Totality will last about 3 minutes 45 seconds if you are on the center line.
- The farther you are from the centerline, the shorter the totality will be.
- The partial eclipse ends at about 4:30 p.m.
- Overall eclipse duration: 2 hours 27 minutes
The Total Solar Eclipse only occurs once every 18 months and rarely in Western New York. So, this is a major event. Changes in temperature, winds, and animal behavior occur during the time around totality.
Erie County is anticipating a large influx of visitors to our area, looking to view the eclipse. Heavy traffic should be anticipated.
In order to maximize your experience, please:
- Consider staying home to enjoy this spectacular event with your family or organize neighborhood viewing parties
- Plan any necessary travel in advance, and anticipate heavy congestion and slow traffic
- Have certified solar glasses to protect your eyes, as direct viewing of the sun, even if it’s cloudy, can be dangerous to your eyes.
There are several local and national resources for you to plan your eclipse viewing.
How to Use Solar Eclipse Glasses
https://preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-glasses/
Family Total Solar Eclipse Toolkit
https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Family-Solar-Eclipse-Toolkit.pdf
Solar Eclipses and Your Eyes
https://preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes/
Buffalo Eclipse Locations
https://buffaloeclipse.org/locations/
Niagara Falls Solar Eclipse
https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/2024-solar-eclipse/
NASA: Total Solar Eclipse Safety
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
Solar Eclipse Across America
https://eclipse.aas.org/eclipse-america-2024
Hosting A Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
https://preventblindness.org/planning-or-hosting-a-solar-eclipse-viewing-party/
Erie County: Total Solar Eclipse
https://www3.erie.gov/health/total-solar-eclipse
Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium: Events at Buffalo State University
https://planetarium.buffalostate.edu/eclipse
Buffalo Audubon Society Event
https://www.buffaloaudubon.org/total-solar-eclipse-2024.html
Associated Press: What to know about watch parties and safe viewing
https://apnews.com/article/total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-83164668ee08b0a0c92e1d2ac41e91aa