SULLIVAN COUNTY - While Sullivan County and the state of New York are not in the path of totality - when the area where the sun is completely blocked out by the moon - this Monday's solar eclipse will still offer the opportunity to witness a rare sight as the moon will be covering between 69-70 percent of the sun in our area.

According to NASA, “This celestial event is a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth, and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location. For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.”

One local organization excited for this event is the Catskills Astronomy Club.

“I would encourage anyone who can to try to witness it for themselves using proper eye protection or viewing it indirectly,” club member John Kocijanski said. “Also watch for small crescent sun images cast on the ground under the shade of trees as the sunlight passes through leaves.”

While a rare event like this eclipse doesn't come around often, the club provides plenty of opportunities for those interested in exploring the universe, one of which is right around the corner.

On Friday, August 25, the club is presenting a free public star watch from 8-11 p.m at Rotary Park on Pleasant Street in Livingston Manor. The rain date is August 26.

The event is sponsored by the Livingston Manor Rotary Club.

Telescopes will be available, but the public is invited to bring their own. If you're interested in attending, email catskillsastro@hotmail.com.Check the Catskills Astronomy Club Facebook for updates and cancellations.

The Roscoe Free Library will be hosting a solar eclipse get-together on Monday, from 1:30-4 p.m. A grant from Star Net gave the library solar glasses. They will be giving away the glasses to folks coming into the library over the weekend. Refreshments will be available during the eclipse.

Please use proper eye protection at all times during the eclipse - here is the time and percentage of the sun blocked by the moon from areas across the county.

Area Time %

Liberty 2:42:09 p.m. 69.6

Callicoon 2:41:49 p.m. 70

Eldred 2:42:18 p.m. 70.4

Narrowsburg 2:42:03 p.m. 70.5

Monticello 2:42:26 p.m. 69.9

Bloomingburg 2:42:58 p.m. 69.7

Roscoe 2:41:33 p.m. 69.4