Churchville-Chili Central School District, along with most of the other districts in the greater Rochester area, will be closed on Monday, April 8, for the total solar eclipse. This total solar eclipse is the last opportunity for large segments of our country to experience a total solar eclipse until 2045. Rochester sits in the center of the path of totality for the April 8 eclipse. The last time Rochester experienced a total solar eclipse was on January 24, 1925.
According to the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the eclipse will begin at 2:07 p.m. and end at 4:33 p.m., with totality beginning at 3:20 p.m. and lasting for 3 minutes and 38 seconds. During totality, the sky becomes as dark as deep twilight, bright stars and planets appear, and the Sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona, shines around the black disk of the Moon’s silhouette. Changes in temperature, winds, and animal behavior occur during the time around totality.
To prevent eye damage, do not look directly at the Sun during the partial phases of an eclipse. Don’t look into a mirror at a reflected image of the Sun. Instead, look through a filter or “glasses” made specifically for solar viewing, or project the Sun’s image onto some surface. Eclipse Glasses can be found throughout the Greater Rochester Region including the Rochester Museum and Science Center and in limited supplies at various Monroe County Library System member libraries. Check availability at your local library.
The Churchville-Chili Central School District campus will be closed to everyone who is not an employee on Monday, April 8.
There will be many opportunities in Churchville, Chili and the surrounding area for those who would like to view the eclipse.
The Town of Chili is hosting an eclipse event at the Community Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 8. The community is invited to learn how to safely view the eclipse while enjoying building-wide stations of fun. You can even earn a pair of solar eclipse glasses by completing activities. More information about the event can be found on the Chili Recreation website, http://tinyurl.com/jrbv5bds.
The Town of Riga and Village of Churchville are working with the Newman Riga Library, American Legion, and the Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce to also provide an opportunity for those in our community to experience the eclipse. A viewing party will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Town of Riga/American Legion campus on April 8. There will be outdoor and indoor viewing locations, food and beverage, and activities for those attending. Due to anticipated traffic congestion that day, those who are within walking distance are encouraged to walk to the event.
The Rochester Museum and Science Center will also host the Roc the Eclipse Festival that weekend, with activities Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There will be speakers, activities and opportunities to learn more about the eclipse before watching the event on Monday.
Learn more about the total solar eclipse on the Rochester Museum and Science Center website: https://rochestereclipse2024.org/.
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