How to View the North American Eclipse of 2017 in Brooklyn

On Monday August 21, North America will experience a solar eclipse, when the moon will cover the sun from Earth’s perspective. Although the places where the moon will fully cover the sun will be significantly further south than Brooklyn, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to see the event from here.

Solar eclipses occur when the moon aligns itself directly between the sun and the earth. The resultant eclipse will block the sun’s light for a short period of time for viewers on Earth. Even though the path of the total solar eclipse will travel from Salem, Ore., to Charleston, S.C., and not come all that close to New York City, Brooklynites will still be treated to a partial eclipse — about 70 percent of the sun’s visible disk will be covered.

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Residents who live further southwest in the borough will get a slightly better look at the eclipse, as the path of totality will track across the U.S. from northwest to southeast. The eclipse will begin in Brooklyn at around 1:30 p.m., peak around 2:45, and last until around 4 p.m.

Remember, if you’re looking at a solar eclipse, wear proper eye protection and don’t look directly into the sun — however, normal sunglasses won’t do. You’ll need special eyewear. The American Astronomical Association and the National Weather Service have a good breakdown of what works and what won’t.

Spots with an unobstructed view upwards are the best places to catch the eclipse. Prospect Park, Coney Island’s beaches, and Brooklyn Bridge Park are a few places that could work well as viewing spots.

The last time there was a major eclipse of note in New York City was January 24, 1925. During that eclipse, New York was in the path of totality, which crossed through the city near Manhattan’s 96th Street.

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