The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation along with several tourism stakeholders in Niagara Falls, NY will be collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to provide programming and special events around the Total Solar Eclipse that will take place on April 8, 2024.
“Niagara Falls is a spectacular natural backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime event, and working with NASA to provide the programming and education leading up to the eclipse is sure to attract thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to the city,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “We are excited to be working with so many of our tourism partners to bring an electric energy throughout the area for this celestial wonder.”
NASA Associate Administrator for Science Nicola Fox said, “We’re excited to be in New York to engage and educate Niagara Falls and surrounding communities about the total solar eclipse. We hope these events, along with all our nationwide eclipse activities, inspire and encourage the next generation – the Artemis Generation – of explorers, scientists, and engineers.”
Beginning on April 4th, scientists, subject matter experts and astronauts from NASA will be providing programming and exhibits throughout the city at locations including the Niagara Falls Public Libraries, The Underground Railroad Heritage Center, The Aquarium of Niagara, the New York Power Authority Power Vista, the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and Niagara Falls State Park. All events will be free and open to the public (reservations may be required based on space availability) throughout the entire weekend leading up to the April 8 event. NASA will be hosting similar events in several other cities throughout the path of totality.
A number of state agencies & authorities have comprised a task force with partners at all levels of government to ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers and visitors for the event. This collaboration is and has been studying the preparation, after-actions and recommendations of states and municipalities that were in the path of the August 2017 eclipse. Other working endeavors include communications and operations, traffic control and planning, marketing and education. For the eclipse and its preparations, New York State will maintain its role of logistical support along with managing its own assets like parks and roads. In July, Governor Hochul announced some State Park campgrounds would be opening to accommodate visitors for this celestial event; all of those sites are now full. For more information on how to best experience the eclipse in New York State, including suggested viewing areas, planned events and important safety information, visit www.iloveny.com/eclipse today.
New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “We have been planning for this event for several years and in our wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined being able to work with NASA to provide this incredible experience. We know that people will be flocking to the city and Park to take part in all of the events leading up to the big moment.”
Niagara Falls will experience the beginning of the eclipse at 2:04 pm with full totality starting at 3:18 pm, lasting 3 minutes and 31 seconds. The eclipse will wrap up at 4:31 pm.
