BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's not looking great for some out-of-towners, but for those who already live here, you're going to get a glimpse of a once-in-a-generation event; the solar eclipse.
So mark your calendars for April 8 because the next one here in Western New York is 375 years away.
However, the countdown continues, putting us about five months away from the rare event. So, Buffalo's Museum of Science hands-on workshops are teaching people how to view the eclipse, led by Astronomy Coordinator Holly Cohen.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It is beautiful. If you keep yourself and your loved ones safe, this is going to be an incredible experience for this community," Cohen says.
A total solar eclipse is when the sun, moon, and Earth perfectly align, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth. However, April showers bring May flowers. If we have clear skies, "We will able to see the outer atmosphere of the sun called the corona. This is the only time to directly view the sun," Cohen says.
The science museum is handing out special eclipse glasses for you to see the event. Every pair of glasses should meet ISO requirements. That's because looking directly at the sun can cause "eclipse blindness or retinal burns." That's light exposure damaging the back of the eye.
"It is very important to know how to use and take care of these solar eclipse glasses carefully. They are probably the easiest and least expensive way to view the eclipse," says Cohen.