March 22, 2024

A total solar eclipse will be viewable throughout all of Oswego County on Monday, April 8. Start and end times will vary slightly by location, but generally, it begins after 2 p.m., with totality just before 3:30 p.m., and concludes after 4:30 p.m.

The Oswego County Health Department offers a few simple tips to help people to make the most out of this unique experience.

They include:

• Don’t look directly at the sun during the partial eclipse without safe eyewear or a solar viewer. Sunglasses, no matter how dark they are, will not protect your eyes. Only special purpose solar filters that comply with the transmittance requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard allow people to safely look at the sun.
• Wear sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside. UV rays can still cause sunburn on cloudy or cool days, so it’s important to protect your skin. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply if outside for more than two hours.
• Reduce exposure to ticks and mosquitoes by avoiding brushy or grassy areas, wearing protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, socks and shoes, and applying insect repellent. Be sure to read the product label and follow package instructions.

People are advised to look out for their pets, too. The eclipse may impact some pets and wildlife, especially during the period of totality. Animals are sensitive to environmental changes and the moods or actions of their owners, so they may act differently during the eclipse.

Dogs may show a change in activity, vocalize more or become frightened, similar to when a thunderstorm occurs. Generally, most cats may not have much of a reaction to the event and wildlife or farm animals may behave according to their normal nighttime routine as the sky gets darker.

Be mindful of your pet’s behavior in these circumstances and plan accordingly, whether you are at home with them or not.

As always, make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations and talk to your veterinarian about the right tick prevention products for your pet.

The Oswego County Health Department offers rabies clinics throughout the year. The next clinic is Wednesday, March 27 at the Oswego County Highway Garage, 31 Schaad Dr., Oswego. For details, go to https://health.oswegocounty.com/programs/environmental1/rabies_program2.php.

For those interested in how animals and insects react to a solar eclipse, you can join NASA’s Eclipse Soundscapes project. Go online to sign up and complete the free training. Then observe the behavior of animals on eclipse day – 10 minutes before, during, and 10 minutes after – to contribute to this valuable research project. After the eclipse, send your observations to NASA between April 8 and 15. For more information, go to https://eclipsesoundscapes.org/observer/.

For more eclipse information about eye safety, senior tips and general readiness, go to Oswego County Tourism’s eclipse webpage at https://visitoswegocounty.com/eclipse/.