Total Solar Eclipse: How Much We’ll See In Bay Shore, When

BAY SHORE, NY — Excitement and concern are building in Bay Shore and Brightwaters over the April 8 solar eclipse. We’re not among some 32 million Americans living in the path of totality, thought we won't miss out on the celestial sensation — but cloudy skies may well change the experience.

It "depends on how thick and how extensive the clouds are," veteran New York meteorologist Joe Rao said in a recent column on Space.com. "Regardless, you will certainly notice some very unusual effects when the moon's shadow passes by."

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. In the town of Islip, the moon will cover about 89 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: 2:11 p.m.
• Totality begins: 2:52
• Maximum: 3:26
• Totality ends: 3:58
• Partial ends: 4:36 p.m.

Want to get into the path of totality? The New York State Parks and Historic Sites will host a range of events and activities to celebrate the rare event in western New York, the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks.

If you're partial to a partial view, events on Long Island include:

• Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale. Noon - 4:45 p.m. 516-572-4111
• Custer Institute & Observatory, 1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold. Advance registration is recommended. 631-765-2626
• Long Island Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson. 1 p.m. Limited space. 631-331-3277
• Sunken Meadow State Park, Rte 908K, Kings Park
• Connetquot River State Park, 4090 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale

Right now, it looks like we could have a cloudy day with rain likely for the big event, according to NASA's Eclipse Explorer. Check back with Patch when we're closer.

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.

Related:

• Animals May Behave Oddly During Eclipse
• As Eclipse Day Approaches, Hochul Warns About Harmful Rays and Scams
• You Must Protect Your Eyes, Regardless Of Eclipse Totality: What You Need