Events for the 2024 Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross over the United States. The moon will pass between Earth and the sun, causing the afternoon to look more like dusk. It’s a natural phenomenon that you have to see to believe, and lucky for us, the eclipse will be visible in most of Pennsylvania. The path of totality will be visible in northwestern Pennsylvania, but here in the Endless Mountains, we’ll still achieve about 95% totality. The effect will be much more dramatic than the 2017 eclipse, which passed much farther south.
Depending on where you are, the eclipse will begin around 2:00 p.m. and end around 4:30 p.m. Maximum coverage will be at 3:15 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Several local parks and organizations are hosting eclipse events. Check out these programs to find your perfect viewing spot.
Safety note: Looking directly at the eclipse can cause serious eye injury. Do not look at the sun unless you’re using special eye protection (such as eclipse glasses). See NASA’s website to learn how to safely watch the eclipse.
Keystone College Observatory
Visit the Thomas G. Cupillari ’60 Observatory between 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to learn about the solar eclipse. Attendees will have the chance to view the eclipse with eclipse glasses and scopes with solar filters. In case of cloudy weather, they will show a livestream of the eclipse. The observatory is located in Dalton, just a few minutes from Keystone’s main campus.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen will host a solar watch from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendees will meet at the park’s visitors center for an educational program about eclipses. Then, the group will go to the western boat launch to view the eclipse with equipment using solar filters.
Salt Springs Park
Join the Friends of Salt Springs Park for a viewing event from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A limited amount of eclipse glasses will be available.
Vosburg Neck State Park
Head to Vosburg Neck near Tunkhannock for “Seeing the Eclipse Differently,” a fun eclipse activity for all ages. The park educator will be available from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to answer questions and explain the significance of eclipses in cultures around the world. A limited amount of eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last.
Top photo by Stacey Jarcy.