NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – New York City’s public libraries will be giving out free solar eclipse glasses starting Friday, the New York Public library announced.
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.
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.
Glasses will be distributed first-come-first-served at all Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and New York Public Library branches, including those in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island
The solar eclipse is set to take place on Monday, April 8.
The giveaway is part of a partnership between the libraries and the National Esports Association which launched a “Look Up!” public safety campaign to encourage New Yorkers to safely look up at the total solar eclipse.
“As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming eclipse, it is crucial to prioritize safety during this extraordinary celestial event,” Lori Bajorek, president of the NEA, said. “We hope this will be a moment of shared wonder and safety for all.”
Officials are also reminding stargazers to be wary of scams, fake merchandise as well as phony accommodation listings.
According to the Better Business Bureau, scams associated with the 2024 solar eclipse may include:
- Travel Scams: Scammers may advertise discounted travel packages or transportation services for viewing the eclipse, only to disappear with customers’ money or provide subpar services.
- Fake Merchandise: Vendors might sell counterfeit or overpriced eclipse-themed merchandise.
- Phony Accommodation Listings: Scammers could create false hotel or rental listings claiming to have optimal views of the eclipse while these listings may not exist or properties may not be as described, or the lister is not really the owner.
Any consumer who encounters a marketplace problem while enjoying the eclipse in New York can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.