Solar eclipse 2024: Everything to know about the celestial event in NYC, Tri-State
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Millions in New York City and across the country had a chance to see the total solar eclipse as it moves over North America.
The eclipse started just after 2:00 p.m. in the New York City area with skies darkening around 2:50 p.m. Peak coverage was at 90 percent at 3:25 p.m.
Eyewitness News had team coverage of the big event, including meteorologist Lee Goldberg reporting from Burlington, Vermont while Brittany Bell reported from Niagara Falls.
This eclipse was almost twice as long, with an even wider audience, than the total solar eclipse that stretched coast-to-coast in the U.S. in 2017.
The moon covered the sun for up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, a spectacle normally unfolding in remote corners of the globe but this time passing over major cities like Dallas, Indianapolis and Cleveland and Buffalo.
Monday's spectacle was watched by millions in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. It was North America's biggest eclipse crowd ever, thanks to the densely populated path.
EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE
Big crowds gather to view the eclipse at the Green-Wood Cemetery
One of the more unique places where people came together to watch the eclipse was in Brooklyn at Green-wood Cemetery.
Kemberly Richardson has the story:
Eclipse sparks interest in science for students
For kids and teenagers, a day like Monday could help spark a lifetime interest in science and astronomy.
Michelle Charlesworth is at a school in Boonton Township, New Jersey, where there are special eclipse lessons and programs for students.
Toni Yates was at the Liberty Science Center where many gathered on the Great Lawn to watch the eclipse.
Cheers break out in Mexico as eclipse begins
Cheers broke out along the beach in this resort city as the moon began to pass over the sun.
Hundreds in a beachside park had passed the waiting time by readying their equipment and listening to a youth orchestra play Star Wars songs while a large screen projected images of Princess Leia behind them.
Luz Elena Aguillón de la O sat in the grass with a group of 14 family and friends who had gathered from Mexico City, Guanajuato and right here in Mazatlan to take in the spectacle.
"Happy to be here with family, friends sharing a singular, unrepeatable event that the universe and nature give us," she said.
Eclipse excitement in Central Park
From the top of The Edge to Central Park, New Yorkers have plenty of options to take in the eclipse.
Lauren Glassberg is in Central Park as the excitement builds:
Last-minute scramble to find eclipse glasses
New Yorkers waited in line all weekend and even Monday morning and early afternoon to get their hands on eclipse glasses.
CeFaan Kim was there as the line wrapped around the block in front of B&H Photo in Midtown.
What the solar eclipse means depending on your astrological sign
While we know the total solar eclipse is a major deal astronomically, many have been taking to social media wondering what it means astrologically.
It's a rare occurrence, a cosmic coincidence, the moon's shadow masking the sun, it's a total solar eclipse. While millions will be looking to the sky to witness the eclipse, lots are looking to the stars to see what it means for them.
Companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions
More and more businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse set to dim skies across North America.
In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a "Blackout Slush Float." And Frito-Lay's SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event's nearly 4 and a half minutes of totality.
Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths. And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses along the 115 mile (185 kilometer)-wide prime path are leading the charge to meet the incoming tourist demand. Nina Pineda has more details:
Tourism boost in New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul said at least one million tourists have come to New York to see the eclipse.
Despite the clouds in Western New York, "all the hotels are still booked. hotel taxes are still being collected. restaurants were still packed yesterday."
She said the state is "experiencing less traffic than we had planned for" in Western New York, "which is good. I will say its a different dynamic than the other half of the state, where people are heading north from New York City to Albany and up to Plattsburgh."
Free glasses, best viewing locations across Tri-State to see total solar eclipse
New York City public libraries are offering eclipse glasses while supplies last and there are plans for New York City Parks to host viewing events in all five boroughs.
Check out a full list of where to view the eclipse as well as other places to get your free eclipse glasses.
How to find the best solar eclipse viewing spot near you
As excitement builds for the total solar eclipse on Monday, the Tri-State area may have some of the more favorable viewing spots in the country.
And the New York City area, though 10% shy of totality, will enjoy a great shot of taking in the celestial spectacle, with darkening skies, dropping temperatures and wild animals reacting to the sudden dimming.
Upstate New York could offer a sweet spot for viewing. Places like Syracuse are right on the edge of the path of totality and where cloud cover will be lowest.
How the solar eclipse will impact plants and animals
Scientists will be studying how the solar eclipse phenomenon will affect plant and animal activity on Earth. The eclipse may last just mere minutes for those in the path of totality, but the effect it has on the natural world will be profound, researchers told ABC News.
Researchers expect breeding birds to quiet down, crickets to start to vocalize and bees to stop buzzing.
LaVerne Biser, 105, to witness his 13th solar eclipse
LaVerne Biser will soon witness his 13th solar eclipse on April 8. The 105-year-old, born in Ohio, would travel the world with his wife, Marion Biser, and schedule their vacations around the eclipse.
Biser is an amateur astronomer who has a large collection of images and photos of the solar eclipses they've witnessed. By trade, he was a mechanical engineer, whose team performed stress tests for large-scale planes.
State of emergency declared as 1 million people expected to visit Niagara Falls
Ontario's Niagara Region has declared a state of emergency as it prepares to welcome up to a million visitors for the solar eclipse in early April. The total solar eclipse will be the first to touch the province since 1979, and Niagara Falls was declared by National Geographic to be one of the best places to see it.
The city is in the path of totality, where the moon will entirely block the sun's rays for a few minutes. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said earlier in March that he expects the most visitors his city has ever seen in a single day.
New York City public libraries to give away free solar eclipse shades for safe viewing
If you still need to pick up shades for the total solar eclipse, New York City libraries have you covered. All three of the city's public library systems will be distributing free solar eclipse glasses.
Glasses will be available while quantities last on a first-come, first-serve basis at all Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and New York Public Library locations.
New York inmates are suing to watch solar eclipse after state orders prisons locked down
Inmates in New York are suing the state corrections department over the decision to lock down prisons during next Monday's total solar eclipse.
The suit filed Friday in federal court in upstate New York argues that the April 8 lockdown violates inmates' constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event.
Fake eclipse glasses are hitting the market. Here's how to tell if you have a pair
As the total solar eclipse, occurring across Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, draws near, experts are reminding spectators to grab a pair of eclipse glasses to view the celestial event safely - and to make sure they aren't fake.
Whether you're using a fancy camera or a smartphone, here's how to take photos of the solar eclipse
The upcoming April 8 total eclipse will likely be the one of the most photographed events of the year, with almost 32 million people in the United States alone living in the path of totality.
Weather permitting, it is an incredible opportunity for photographers of any skill level. Whether you're working with a high-end DSLR camera or a smartphone, an experienced astrophotographer has some tips on how to make the moment last through images.
Total solar eclipse could cause air travel delays: FAA
A total solar eclipse set to deliver a stunning display in the sky on April 8 could be trouble for some air travelers and pilots due to possible flight delays, the Federal Aviation Administration warned.
The eclipse -- which will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada -- is expected to impact air traffic and airports along the eclipse's path from April 7 until April 10, the FAA said in a notice about special air traffic procedures. This could mean delays for air travelers, too -- especially as the eclipse overlaps with spring break travel, the agency said Wednesday.
The FAA estimated that any air travel impacts from the eclipse would be felt from April 7 at 6 a.m. until April 10 at midnight.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg will cover the eclipse from Vermont, while meteorologist Brittany Bell will be reporting from Niagara Falls. Plus, we invite you to watch
