BUFFALO, N.Y. — Western New York and northern Pennsylvania will get to see a partial solar eclipse this Saturday afternoon, if the clouds and rain don't block the view, that is.
The weather doesn't look great for the Annular Solar Eclipse "Ring of Fire" during Saturday afternoon. But if there are breaks in the clouds and rain, it would be a partial eclipse here locally, about 25 to 30 percent totality, and be seen starting around noon. Could partially see the eclipse for about two and a half hours with the eclipse peaking at midpoint. (Note the last partial eclipse here in 2017 was about 70% totality, for comparison.)
Safe Solar Eclipse sunglasses are a must for viewing this eclipse. The local Erie County libraries and the Science Museum have some right now that they are handing out, two per person.
The Solar Eclipse sunglasses will also come in handy for the Total Solar Eclipse that's set to be here locally in the Spring on April 8, 2024, at around 3:20pm with the Path of Totality coming right over Buffalo. It's a rare and amazing once-in-a-lifetime occurrence here.
Another way to see it indirectly is with a pinhole projector, or easily just look down at the shadows on the ground from the trees and will see crescent shapes during the eclipse(s).
More info at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses
Enjoy!