A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People located in the center of the Moon's shadow when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people in the path of a total solar eclipse can see the Sun's corona, the outer atmosphere, which is otherwise usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun. A total solar eclipse is the only type of solar eclipse where viewers can momentarily remove their eclipse glasses (which are not the same as regular sunglasses) for the brief period of time when the Moon is completely blocking the Sun.
What time is it happening?In New York City, the eclipse will begin just after 2 p.m. and finish at around 4:36 p.m. But the best time to watch will be between 2:45 and 3:30.Where can I get eclipse glasses?You can pick them up first come, first served at your local public library branch (check to see when and where) and the MTA Long Island Rail Road ticket windows at Moynihan Train Hall. Warby Parker is also giving them away at all its stores. (Everything is going fast, so we suggest calling in advance to see if there are glasses left or getting to any giveaway events early.) Or you can buy glasses that have an ISO rating from the certified vendors listed by the American Astronomical Society. But beware: The counterfeit-eclipse-glasses market is a real thing. (Actually use them. Every time an eclipse happens, people have looked straight into the sun to their own demise...)
Luckily, the weather forecast is on our side. High pressure is forecast to bring us a dry day with temperatures in the 60s. A few high clouds may drift by, but we are rain-free. We can expect mostly sunny skies, with a high around 64.
This year, visitors can expect over 100 varieties of traditional, popular, and rare Chinese foods, including soup dumplings, dragon's beard candy, lotus root sandwiches, sugar-coated chestnuts, grilled cold noodles, iron plate tofu, fried skewers, milk cap tea, among others.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 5, 2024
My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.
Head to the U.S. Geological Survey for credible information.New York City just felt the impacts of a 4.8 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter of Lebanon, New Jersey. @NYCMayor is being briefed. While we do not have any reports of major impacts at this time, we’re still assessing the impact.
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) April 5, 2024
This morning's earthquake occurred on a shallow fault system in New Jersey and shook for about 35 seconds, a Princeton seismologist said.“The shallower or the closer it is, the more we feel it as humans,” said Frederik J. Simons, a professor of geosciences at Princeton University.The quake originated at a depth of less than 3 miles, according to USGS.Earthquakes on the East Coast can be felt at a great distance and can cause more pronounced shaking in comparison to those on the West Coast because rocks in the region are often older, harder and more dense.
Updated 4/6
A 3.8 magnitude aftershock hit 37 miles west of Manhattan near Gladstone, N.J., around 6 last night
The USGS has information here about the possibility of more aftershocks. According to the USGS, there is a 74% chance of a 3.0 magnitude or greater aftershock over the next week. The agency also offers advice on what to do during an earthquake.
