Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse!
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People located in the center of the Moon’s shadow when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people in the path of a total solar eclipse can see the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere, which is otherwise usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun. A total solar eclipse is the only type of solar eclipse where viewers can momentarily remove their eclipse glasses (which are not the same as regular sunglasses) for the brief period of time when the Moon is completely blocking the Sun.
Unfortunately New Jersey is not in the direct pathway for 100% obscuration and only experience a partial eclipse. If you would like to witness the total eclipse, a once in a generation event, we recommend looking at this interactive NASA website to help plan your travels.
The partial eclipse will begin in central New Jersey at 2:09pm and end at 4:35pm achieving the maximum coverage of 89.7% obscuration at 3:24pm.
Safety
Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. 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.
When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. You can pick up solar free solar viewing glasses by visiting the NJSGC Office. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.
Solar Eclipse Events in New Jersey
United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey