By: Sharvani Regmi
BROCKPORT, NY—The village of Brockport is buzzing with preparations to host one of nature's rarest events, a total solar eclipse. On Monday, April 8, 2024, the village will fall directly in the line of totality making it one of the most sought-after locations in the world to witness the eclipse. The last recorded eclipse in Brockport was in 1925.
According to the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the eclipse will start at 2:07 p.m., and totality will start at 3:20 p.m. which is expected to last for three minutes and 44 seconds. The totality in Brockport is expected to last five seconds longer than the nearby city of Rochester thereby attracting a huge number of eclipse enthusiasts to the village.
SUNY Brockport is located at the center of this rare event, as the campus is located directly on the line of totality.
"That makes our campus one of the premiere places in the world to view the eclipse," SUNY Brockport Assistant Vice President for Communications John Follaco said. "It also makes us a potential magnet for eclipse chasers around the world. While we have no idea what exactly to expect, we have been preparing for the possibility of thousands of people visiting our campus on Monday.”
“We’re in a perfect place to watch the eclipse. But the actual center line runs through the practice field to the east of Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium. People will be gathering there. There will be live music beginning at 11 a.m. and food trucks available for those who want to buy lunch."
The excitement is high, as the university expects a surge of visitors, including the famous alum NBC News reporter Ryan Nobles, who will view the eclipse on campus with his family.
To accommodate the surge of visitors on campus, SUNY Brockport has changed parking allocations for residential students with red parking passes to lots away from Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium. The morning classes on Monday are remote and the afternoon classes are canceled with evening classes being held remotely. This gives students a good opportunity to attend the eclipse on campus.
Mayor Margaret Blackman has been involved in the village's preparations, ensuring that residents are well-prepared to view the eclipse safely. The village office is providing 2000 glasses, two for each household. More information about the eclipse can be found on the village website and the newly released village app.
Mayor Blackman highlighted the importance of careful planning for the day, encouraging village residents to walk or bike to limit traffic issues. She has also encouraged the residents to shop before the eclipse and not to book any appointments on eclipse day. The village police will be active all day on Monday to ensure a safe eclipse experience for everyone. Local businesses on Main Street are set to open on Monday to cater to the huge number of visitors and to boost the village’s economy.
Student meteorologist Mathew Quinn provides a weather forecast for the eclipse day; partly sunny skies are expected with a slight chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Temperatures will climb into the mid-50s to lower 60s. Winds will be out of the southeast around five to 10 miles per hour. Cloud coverage is expected to be 60 – 65% and the cloud thickness is expected to be 20 – 30% with a 10% chance of precipitation.
The University encourages students to come out to east-field and enjoy the entertainment while remembering to bring a blanket or a lawn chair along with eye protection to enjoy the magic of the cosmos.