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Housing Affordable Housing Transit Transit [ ] SEARCH Sign Up for the Newsletter Get the best of six sq ft in your inbox every day. Email(Required) [ ] [SIGN UP] No Worries. We Don't Spam. 6sqft How researchers used NYC buildings to measure the 1925 solar eclipse Newsletter Sign Up Share ( shares) [INS::INS] How researchers used NYC buildings to measure the 1925 solar eclipse By Michelle Cohen August 21, 2017 How researchers used NYC buildings to measure the 1925 solar eclipse Postmaster General Harry Stewart New watches the solar eclipse of January 24, 1925, shielding his eyes with a photographic plate. Image: Wikimedia commons During a total solar eclipse that occurred in 1925 in Manhattan, according to Space.com, "the streetlights turned on, three women fainted, vendors sold smoked glass while exhorting passersby to 'save your eyes for 10 cents' and seagulls landed in the water, assuming it was night." Though today's eclipse will be only a partial version for New Yorkers, we know enough about the moon's orbit to accurately predict an eclipse's timing as narrowly as a city block's distance. At the time, though-long before anyone had landed on the moon, observing and measuring the shadow as it moved over the Earth provided important information on the moon's size, shape and path. [1925-eclipse-ny-times-headline] Image: GreatAmericanEclipse.com The 1925 eclipse, in typical New York fashion, was fashionably late, a fact which made the cover of The New York Times. "The moon was unpunctual, as well as careless of its route," according to the Times article, "It was about four seconds late in blotting out the sun." Watchers in Manhattan just above 96th Street on Jan. 24, 1925 got an eyeful as researchers scrambled to take measurements of the event. [Photographing_1925_Solar_Eclipse] Dr Sam M. Burka (left), a physicist at McCook Field, Ohio and Lt. George W. Goddard prepare for photographing of solar eclipse 24 January 1925 by the United States Army Air Service. Image: Wikimedia Commons Twenty-five planes took measurements from the air, a dirigible hovered 8,000 feet above Long Island and 149 observers on foot lined Upper Manhattan block by block to document the sun's exact southern limit; cameras outnumbered people at every turn. So great was the imperative to record the celestial event that even the most ad hoc efforts resembled military maneuvers. One study done by New York's electric companies sent 149 observers to rooftops and bridges. The watchers were divided into groups of two and three stationed along 135th Street on Manhattan's West Side. Within the groups, one person would watch for the moon's incoming shadow while another noted whether the sun was totally covered by the moon. The shadow watchers had an impossible task: The shadow travels at an average of 2,300 mph and is hard to quantify. Everyone above 96th Street saw the moon completely covering the disk of the sun, though no one below 96th street was able to do so. That experience represented a victory in measurement: The eclipse's southern border could be pinpointed to within 225 feet, or the distance between 230 Riverside Drive and 240 Riverside Drive. The shadow's border was literally caught between two buildings, each on its own city block. The New York Edison Company's team also measured the city's use of electrical power during the eclipse. As predicted, power use rose during the few minutes of darkness, but use was lower in some places because many industries were shuttered for the morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7XPjfCaltw Today's eclipse could be the most-watched in history according to NASA, and we still have a lot to learn, so amateurs and professionals will get another rare chance to work together to gather more data on the moon's moves. And cameras will definitely outnumber people (most of whom have at least one on their person at all times as it is). Observation projects include the University of California and Google's Eclipse Megamovie project and another by the International Occultation Timing Organization who have called for volunteers to document the event. [Via Space.com] RELATED: * MOON lamp uses NASA-sourced data to replicate lunar phases in your living room * Star Power: Celestial ceilings and zodiac symbols in New York architecture * John Jeffries is considered America's first weatherman * An architect's 1969 nuclear shelter plan shows a mini-Manhattan built thousands of feet underground Gallery Image Gallery Image Gallery Image Gallery Image Get Insider Updates with Our Newsletter! Email(Required) [ ] [Sign Up for the Newsletter] By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. More: Events & Things To Do, History Tags: Solar Eclipse Leave a reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Comment * [ ] [ ] Name * [ ] Email * [ ] [ ] Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [Leave Reply] This $19M sky palace high above Park Avenue has a manor house-worthy terrace garden This $19M sky palace high above Park Avenue has a manor house-worthy terrace garden Take a Tour You May Also Like Tender photographs capturing queer Black experience on view at NYC bus stops March 21, 2024 Tender photographs capturing queer Black experience on view at NYC bus stops By Aaron Ginsburg New York City-based photographer Clifford Prince King shares a deeply personal glimpse into his life in his first-ever public art exhibition. Presented by the Public Art Fund, "Let me know when you get home," features 13 new photographs King captured during his travels in the summer of 2023, providing an intimate look into the artist's sources of "comfort, companionship, and love." The exhibition is currently on view through May 26 at 300 bus shelters and 30 newsstands across New York City, Chicago, and Boston. discover more * Events & Things To Do Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC March 21, 2024 Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC By Aaron Ginsburg Thousands of cherry blossom trees across the five boroughs have begun to sprout their vibrant petals, marking the arrival of spring in NYC. One of the best ways to experience the breathtaking flora is by embarking on a tour through one of the city's cherry blossom hot spots. Luckily, plenty of locations across the city offer tours of cherry blossoms and spring flowers, including Central Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Green-Wood Cemetery, and more. find out more * Events & Things To Do 34 bars to watch March Madness games in NYC March 20, 2024 34 bars to watch March Madness games in NYC By Aaron Ginsburg With the abundance of sports bars and pubs scattered across New York City, it can be hard to sort through to find the best ones to watch your favorite team. With the NCAA March Madness tournament approaching, 6sqft put together a list of some of our favorite sports bars in the city to watch the games, prepare a bracket, and enjoy some good food and drinks. Full list here * Events & Things To Do * Food & Dining William Kentridge's video animation of historical figures on view at Moynihan Train Hall March 18, 2024 William Kentridge's video animation of historical figures on view at Moynihan Train Hall By Aaron Ginsburg A cast of historical figures is watching travelers as they bustle through the waiting area of Moynihan Train Hall. Created by South African artist William Kentridge, "We Will Make Shoes from the Sky" is a multi-panel video animation featuring characters based on famous people from history, including several Black leaders like James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, and Aime and Suzanne Cesaire. The installation is currently on view on the digital screens in the main waiting area of Moynihan Train Hall. discover more * Events & Things To Do * Transit NYC Chinese food festival returns next month with expanded lineup March 18, 2024 NYC Chinese food festival returns next month with expanded lineup By Aaron Ginsburg Dragon Fest, New York City's first-ever outdoor Chinese food and culture festival, is returning next month after a successful debut last year. This year's festival includes an expanded lineup, featuring 16 unique events hosted in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens from April 6 through October 6. Attendees can enjoy Chinese art, cultural traditions, and more than 100 varieties of Chinese food from esteemed local vendors such as Nan Xiang and MiLa. find out more * Events & Things To Do * Food & Dining Coney Island opening for 2024 season March 14, 2024 Coney Island opening for 2024 season By Aaron Ginsburg Coney Island's beachfront amusement district, Luna Park, is set to reopen for the 2024 season next weekend. The historic amusement park will reopen on Saturday, March 23, kicking off a weekend of fun featuring its annual opening ceremonies, including the first ride and egg cream christening of its famous rollercoaster, the Coney Island Cyclone. Keeping in line with tradition, to celebrate the 97th birthday of the Cyclone, the first 97 visitors to ride the rollercoaster will ride for free and get a free egg cream. discover more * Events & Things To Do 6sqft Logo Your Daily Dose of NYC Life! Email(Required) [ ] [Sign Up] No Worries. We Don't Spam. By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. [img_floral] Distinctive Homes Storied $150M Hamptons 'La Dune' estate heads to auction next week Storied $150M Hamptons 'La Dune' estate heads to auction next week Look out on the city from high above the Lower East Side in this $3.8M penthouse Look out on the city from high above the Lower East Side in this $3.8M penthouse 6sqft's top stories of 2023! 6sqft's top stories of 2023! 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The event is free with subway fare and departs from Grand Central Terminal at 11 a.m., giving Yankee fans more than enough time to catch the first pitch at 1:05 p.m. find out more * Events & Things To Do * Transit Where to watch the Oscars in NYC March 7, 2024 Where to watch the Oscars in NYC By Devin Gannon Hollywood's biggest night comes to New York City. For a festive Oscars-viewing experience, hit one of the city's bars, venues, or movie theaters hosting watch parties in honor of the 96th annual Academy Awards this Sunday, March 10. Ahead, find our favorite spots to show off your red-carpet look, place your bets on this year's nominees, and sip a cinema-themed cocktail among fellow film fans. See the star-studded spots * Events & Things To Do New exhibit of vintage travel posters shows how NYC was sold to the world March 7, 2024 New exhibit of vintage travel posters shows how NYC was sold to the world By Aaron Ginsburg A new exhibition at Poster House illustrates how the term "Wonder City" became synonymous with New York City. Curated by Nicholas D. Lowry, "Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters" features 80 posters promoting the five boroughs to tourists, immigrants, and travelers during the 20th century through enticing design and portrayal of iconic landmarks. The exhibition will be on view at Poster House at 119 West 23rd Street from March 14 through September 8. find out more * Events & Things To Do Interview: Famous photojournalist Steve McCurry on authenticity, truth, and trust in today's world March 5, 2024 Interview: Famous photojournalist Steve McCurry on authenticity, truth, and trust in today's world By Michelle Cohen As the spring arts season awakens, an exhibition of note will be ending its run at the Cavalier Galleries in Chelsea: Now through March 30, take the opportunity to experience work by American photojournalist Steve McCurry. As one of our most celebrated contemporary photographers, McCurry is best known for his unforgettable portrait of 12-year-old Afghan refugee Sharbat Gula, the "Afghan Girl" who gazed from the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985. The current solo exhibition marks the release of McCurry's new book, "Devotion: Love and Spirituality" (Prestel, 2024). 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