Solar eclipse totality map changed. Here's how it impacts Southern Tier, Finger Lakes
Residents of some Southern Tier and Finger Lakes communities may want to rethink their plans to view the April 8 total solar eclipse.
An updated map of the path of totality has been released by expert John Irwin of Besselian Elements. The updated map slightly narrows the path of totality, based on a more accurate view of the visible edge of the moon’s visible surface and the topographic elevation of the Earth’s surface.
What does that mean for eclipse viewers in New York?
Some residents previously on the fringes of the path of totality may need to adjust their intended viewing location to get the full eclipse experience.
That includes the village of Arkport in Steuben County, which was just inside the path of totality under the previous model. The edge of totality is now expected to land a little further north up Route 36. For reference, FitzPatrick’s Four Season Farm Market at 8637 state Rt. 36 is just inside the path of totality.
Dansville, Canaseraga, Angelica and Cuba remain fully in the path of totality.
Anyone still within the path of totality shouldn’t see any changes to their view of the eclipse, though the duration is longer in the center of the path.
The updated map also impacts the northern end of Keuka Lake. The southern half of Penn Yann is now not expected to get the full effect of the solar eclipse.
Why Alfred astronomer says experiencing totality is worth a drive
Viewers inside the path of totality will witness the full effect of the eclipse, weather permitting, with the sun 100% covered by the moon.
Dr. Joshua Thomas, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Alfred University and the director of the university's Stull Observatory, is encouraging residents to make a short drive to experience full totality.
"Even though it is 99.87% (totality) at the observatory, and even though it is almost totality, you won’t get that magic moment of totality. It will not fully block the sun," said Thomas. "There will still be a little bit of sun peaking around. You won’t have that magical effect.
"You don’t have to go far, and I think it’s magical enough that it’s worth the experience of driving 20 minutes or 30 minutes to see totality if you can."
The best places to witness the eclipse include open parks or waterfront areas with unobstructed views of the sky.
NASA predicts the path of the April 8 eclipse to be between 108 and 122 miles wide, covering a wide swath of the United States from Texas through Vermont.
More than 30 million people live in the path of totality; another 150 million live within 200 miles.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Eclipse totality map changes impact viewing in Steuben, Allegany
