Total Solar Eclipse: What We’ll See In Mendham + Chester, How To View

MENDHAM-CHESTER, NJ — The Mendhams and Chesters are not in the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse, but excitement is still building for the celestial spectacle on April 8 — and we'll get to see a good bit of the event.

In the United States, the path of totality extends from Texas to Maine, but each of the 48 continental states will see some of the solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon slips between our bright star and Earth.

Locally, the Morris Museum, South Branch Preserve, and Riverdale Library all have something going on Monday for community members to share the excitement.

In Mendham and Chester, the moon will cover about 91.1 percent of the sun at the peak of the eclipse, according to a NASA map that is searchable by ZIP code.

Here are the details:

• Partial eclipse begins: 2:09 p.m.
• Totality begins: 2:51 p.m.
• Maximum: 3:24 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:57 p.m.
• Partial ends: 4:35 p.m.

The partial eclipse will last about 2 hours and 26 minutes from beginning to end, but maximum totality will only be a few minutes around 3:24 p.m.

Right now, it looks like we could have mostly cloudy skies and temperatures of 47 degrees for the big event, but no rain. You could get some glasses and sit out in the yard or in a local park, or head to one of the events going on around Morris County.

Also, the Longo Planetarium at County College of Morris is showing "Totality: Great American Eclipse 2024" on select Fridays and Saturdays through May 11. This 45-minute show explores the science of how eclipses of the sun and moon occur, and how to see them. It is recommended for ages 8 and up. Tickets are $10.

The total solar eclipse starts in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as small parts of Tennessee and Michigan, before entering Canada in southern Ontario through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

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• You Must Protect Your Eyes, Regardless Of Eclipse Totality: What You Need