Where to experience the Solar Eclipse with your North Fork kids
Even though Eastern Long Island will only experience a partial eclipse with 89% totality, the event, which won’t occur again until 2044, is still one to get excited about and to celebrate with your kids, responsibly of course!
According to NASA, “A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun.” During this time, the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
For Long Island, the partial solar eclipse will begin on Monday, April 8 at 2:12 p.m. with a maximum eclipse at 3:27 p.m. and conclude at 4:37 p.m.
As the concentrated solar rays have the ability to burn and cause serious eye injury solar viewing or eclipse glasses are a must. Glasses with ISO 12312-2 international standard or a handheld solar viewer are always important to use. Eclipse glasses will be available locally on the North Fork at some of the local libraries and events below.
Kick off the solar eclipse with a fun family event at the Mattituck-Laurel Library on Thursday, April 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. At this event, which is appropriate for all ages, attendees will learn about the total solar eclipse, create their own phases of the sun with Oreo cookies, participate in different activities and crafts, and be invited to take home a pair of eclipse glasses for next Monday’s solar eclipse viewing. Although this event is free, a library card (from any North Fork library) is required to register. Registration is required and space is limited. Learn more here.
Nocturnal wildlife sometimes wakes up believing it's nighttime when a total solar eclipse reaches totality (or nears it). Because of this, you may have a chance to view nocturnal animals that you might not otherwise get to see in the wild. If you’re looking to view the eclipse whle in nature, the North Fork is an excellent destination.
On Monday, April 8 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., head to Hallock State Park Preserve in Riverhead to view the solar eclipse with local pros. There, attendees will join Turtleback Educational Conservation Center and retired Professor of Astronomy and Geology George Lomaga who will bring viewing equipment, including his telescope equipped with a solar viewing lens to view the eclipse and learn all about what’s being viewed. Eclipse glasses will be available for all. All are invited to join this eclipse-viewing gathering for free. Register by calling 631-315-5475 and, leave a message with your name, phone number, and the number of glasses you’ll need.
NOTE: Eclipse glasses will also be available for free at Orient Beach State Park.
If celebrating at home is more your pace, or if you have young children at home and are concerned about keeping their solar glasses on, you might want to check out the 2024 Solar Eclipse Digital Party Park by Wilder Child. Although eclipse glasses are not included, everything else is to get the kids excited and involved in this special event. In this pack you’ll receive a party banner, background information, hand-picked games, crafts, and science connections, two original eclipse stories (one for younger children, and one for older children), a recipe, a chalk craft, a music playlist, a booklist and myths from around the world, a coloring sheet, and an eclipse keepsake memory journal entry. The cost is $10 and is available as a direct, immediate download. Learn more and purchase here.