We are just one month away from a rare, natural spectacle. On April 8th there will be a total solar eclipse, an event that won’t be seen again in Canada until 2044.
NASA indicates that the event will begin over the South Pacific Ocean. After crossing Mexico and the U.S., it enters Canada in Southern Ontario on its eastward path. In Ontario, the solar eclipse is expected to start at 2:04 p.m. and last for about two and a half hours. The sun will be fully eclipsed at approximately 3:20 to 3:23 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
What Is A Total Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely covers the face of the Sun. It happens in five phases:
Partial eclipse begins (1st contact): The Moon becomes visible over the Sun’s disk. It looks like the Moon has taken a bite out of the Sun.
Total eclipse begins (2nd contact): The Moon covers the entire disk of the Sun, and observers are now within the Moon’s umbra, the darkest part of the Moon’s shadow. A diamond ring effect and Baily’s beads are visible just before totality.
Totality and maximum eclipse: The Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun. Only the Sun’s corona is visible. This is the most dramatic stage of a total solar eclipse. At this time, the sky goes dark, temperatures can fall, and birds and animals often go quiet. The midpoint of time of totality is known as the maximum point of the eclipse.
Total eclipse ends (3rd contact): The Moon starts moving away, and the Sun reappears. Those fortunate enough to be in the Moon’s umbral can see Bailey’s beads and the diamond ring effect just after totality ends.
Partial eclipse ends (4th contact): The eclipse ends as the Moon leaves the Sun’s disk.
There are many ways to view the event across Ontario, but you may have to do a little traveling. Please book your accommodations in advance.
Southwestern Ontario: Pelee Island, Kingsville and Leamington
Windsor Essex will be the first to see the shadow of the eclipse in Ontario, from Pelee Island at 3:12 p.m. to Point Pelee National Park on the mainland a minute later. Viewing events and celebrations are planned at various locations including Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, and several local wineries.
Niagara Falls and Fort Erie
Niagara Falls, Ontario will be the best location in Canada to view the event with over three minutes of total eclipse starting at 3:18 p.m. The city of Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks are actively preparing for the event in terms of traffic and transportation, designated viewing sites and safety measures for visitors and residents. A new themed Niagara Falls Illumination will be showcased on Sunday, April 7 in anticipation of the solar eclipse.
Hamilton
Next along the path of the eclipse, the shadow will pass over the southeastern reaches of the city of Hamilton at 3:18 p.m.
Toronto
Although the city of Toronto will be outside the route of the total phase of the eclipse, a partial eclipse of the sun may be visible at 3:19 p.m.
Southeastern Ontario: Belleville, Kingston and Cornwall
The eclipse will travel eastward and cross the communities of Belleville, Kingston, and Cornwall at 3:21, 3:22, and 3:24 p.m. respectively.
How to view a solar eclipse safely
Looking at a solar eclipse with the naked eye is extremely dangerous and can result in damage to your retina and eyesight impairment due to solar UV and IR radiation. You must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.
Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
For more information go to: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses
