Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, there was a solar eclipse that took place around 3pm EST. The solar eclipse was best seen in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of Earth, totally or partially. An eclipse only occurs every 2-5 years and only lasts about 10 seconds to 8 minutes. During the eclipse special, darkened glasses are given to look at the eclipse or else it would damage your eyes or even leave you blind. 

One of the earliest records of an eclipse appears in the ancient Chinese document Shu Ching (Book of History), which describes a day on which “the Sun and Moon did not meet harmoniously.” Historians believe this is a reference to the solar eclipse of October 22, 2134 B.C. The legend tells of two royal astronomers named Hsi and Ho who had shirked their duties and gotten drunk on the job. As a result, they failed to predict the event and were beheaded by the emperor.

Some fun events in NYC that happened for the solar eclipse are: Watching the eclipse from the Empire State Building, solar eclipse inner light boost where during the eclipse people meditated, and people could have also taken a cruise to many landmarks before, during and after the solar eclipse.