Solar eclipse events happening April 8 in North Jersey
On April 8, parts of the United States, Mexico, and Canada will get a glimpse of the solar eclipse that will be passing over the North American continent. This eclipse will be the last of its kind to be visible anywhere in the United States until Aug. 23, 2044.
Unfortunately for us here in New Jersey, astronomy enthusiasts and others interested in the event will have to travel out of state to get the best view of the eclipse. While most Americans will get a glimpse, we are at least a multiple hour drive from the path of totality with the trajectory of the eclipse being from Texas to Maine.
Even though New Jersey is not in the eclipse's direct path, there are multiple events around the state that you can attend for a fun and educational experience.
Solar eclipse events in NJ
One of the local and family friendly events that you can visit to celebrate the eclipse is The Great Eclipse at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.
Solar eclipse 2024: What will April solar eclipse look like from North Jersey? Expect a 'visual spectacle'
On April 8 between 1 and 5 p.m. the Liberty Science Center will give out free solar viewing glasses accompanied by a telescope viewing, a live webcast, shows in the planetarium, hands-on astronomy activities, and more.
Keep an eye out for tickets on the Liberty Science Center website.
Another local option is the Total Solar Eclipse Event which will be hosted by the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey. This free event will be held at the observatory at Jenny Jump, 333 State Park Road, Hope, between 1 and 6 p.m. on April 8.
The UACNJ website estimates that Jenny Jump will be in approximately the 90% to 95% totality band, according to their website. You can visit uacnj.org for additional information.
The Longo Planetarium at Morris County College in Randolph has a new show called "Totality: The Great American Solar Eclipse 2024." This 45-minute show teaches viewers the science behind eclipses, how to view them, and what an eclipse looks like. It is recommended for adults and kids ages 8 and up.
This show will run on select Fridays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. You can check out available dates and purchase tickets for the show here.
Finally, while it may not be an astronomy event, the solar eclipse will be partially visible in the Bronx during the Yankees game on April 8. Check out the details here.
Regardless of if you celebrate on your own or at an event, if you plan on looking up at the eclipse you might want to get yourself a pair of solar eclipse glasses to protect your eyes from potential damage.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Solar eclipse events in North Jersey for the 2024 spectacle