Join us as astronomer Barry DiGregorio speaks about the Total Eclipse that will occur on April 8th, including:
- What is happening
- Why it’s so important
- The history of eclipses and the superstitions about them by past cultures
- How to view it safely
- How to take photographs to properly capture this historic moment
The first 20 people to register will receive free eclipse glasses upon request. To register, please call the library at (716) 735-3281. This type of event won’t happen in WNY for another 100 years so be sure you don’t miss it!
Don’t miss this historic event! The next total solar eclipse won’t be visible in WNY for another 100 years! Make sure you’re prepared with glasses, available at the library! The following times for Middleport are calculated by www.timeanddate.com:
- Partial eclipse begins 2:05:49pm
- Total eclipse begins at 3:19:04pm
- Maximum eclipse at 3:20:53pm (this is the only time it is safe to view the eclipse without the use of glasses)
- Totality ends at 3:22:43pm
- Partial eclipse ends at 4:32:35pm
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. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
The library has a limited number of ISO 12312-2 approved eclipse glasses available for our patrons.
1. For personal use only, do not resell.
2. You can request two pairs per person.
3. Offer is good while supplies last.
4. You are responsible for inspecting the glasses to make sure they are not torn, punctured or otherwise unsafe to use.
5. The library is not responsible for any injury from viewing the sun or the eclipse without glasses, with broken glasses, or with glasses used improperly.
If you don’t have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the Sun. One way is to use a pinhole projector, which has a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) and projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. With the Sun at your back, you can then safely view the projected image. Do NOT look at the Sun through the pinhole!
Watch a livestream of the Eclipse instead! NASA will be broadcasting the Eclipse live: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/live/
Total solar eclipse 2024: How and where to watch online for free from Space.com
In Lockport, the Transit Drive-In Theater will host a viewing event on the day of the eclipse from noon to 5 p.m.
While no movies will be shown that day, drive-in general manager Jordan Clement said there will be live music and vendors on hand. If the skies are cloudy, the eclipse will be live-streamed on each of their five movie screens.