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Governor Hochul Launches Effort To Protect New Yorkers Ahead Of Total Solar Eclipse On April 8

New York State Will Distribute Limited Edition I LOVE NY Eclipse Glasses at 30 Locations Throughout the State – Including New York State Welcome Centers and Select Service Areas Along NYS Thruway   

Urges New York Stargazers to be Wary of Scams, Fake Merchandise and Phony Accommodation Listings 

Announces Expansion of Ongoing I LOVE NY Eclipse Safety Awareness Campaign to Include Messaging Promoting Glasses Distribution Across the State 

Builds on Statewide Preparations for Once-in-a-Generation Celestial Event 

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a statewide effort to protect New Yorkers ahead of the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8. The effort includes statewide distribution of limited-edition I LOVE NY eclipse glasses at 30 locations throughout the state – including New York State Welcome Centers and select service areas along the NYS Thruway – as well as a reminder for stargazers to be wary of scams, fake merchandise and phony accommodation listings. In addition, the Governor expanded an I LOVE NY campaign to urge New Yorkers to take proper safety precautions during the eclipse. Today’s announcement builds on previous actions to prepare the state, as well as New York stargazers, for the once-in-a-generation celestial event. 

“The total solar eclipse will be a once-in-a-generation experience for our state, and it’s critical that New Yorkers have the tools and information to enjoy it safely,” Governor Hochul said. “From heightening awareness of scams to providing thousands of New Yorkers with eclipse glasses, I’m focused on giving everyone the resources they need to safely experience this extraordinary event.” 

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will encompass the western and northern parts of New York State with the roughly 100-mile wide path of totality entering in the southwestern part of the state at just after 3:15 p.m. and departing northern New York just before 3:30 p.m. Cities and towns within this path include Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Old Forge, Lake Placid and Plattsburgh. The entire event will last for up to 2 ½ hours, marking the time the sun is first obstructed to the last moments when the moon’s shadow is cast. 

I LOVE NY Eclipse Glasses 

During the eclipse, it is especially unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection and can result in serious injury. The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer ­– regular sunglasses are not a safe replacement.

Read the full press release here.