On April 8, 2024 New York State will experience a total solar eclipse! Regions in the Western and Northern part of the state will experience totality, while other regions will get to see a partial solar eclipse. With proper eye protection, you can watch the moon cross in front of the sun and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. In this lesson, I’ll provide all the details of when, where, and how to watch the solar eclipse, and what you can expect to see if you are in totality. I’ll also discuss some of the fascinating solar science that NASA plans to accomplish during the eclipse with help from Citizen Scientists all across the United States.

Dr. Valerie Rapson is an Astronomer and public outreach enthusiast who enjoys teaching people of all ages about science. A native of Rochester, NY, she earned her Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology at RIT where her research focused on the chemical composition and structure of planet-forming disks around nearby young stars. Her research interests include star and planet formation, exoplanets, and projects that can be done with small telescopes. She also enjoys giving public talks, visiting K-12 schools to teach astronomy, and participates in WAMC's Vox Pop radio show with Astronomer Bob Berman.

At SUNY Oneonta, Dr. Rapson teaches a variety of physics and astronomy courses. She also conducts exoplanet research with students utilizing telescopes at the College Camp Observatory, and designs and presents planetarium shows.

Prior to joining the faculty at Oneonta, Dr. Rapson was the director of the Dudley Observatory in Albany, NY. There, she designed and taught astronomy education programs for children and adults, operated the Suites-Bueche planetarium, and oversaw the construction of roll-top roof observatory with a 14inch telescope. She is a National Astronomy Ambassador and was awarded the 2018 Emerging Leader Award by Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region for being a role model to young women who aspire to become scientists.