The media has made sure that we are all aware of the total solar eclipse that will take place on Monday, April 8 – visible only in southern Ontario and further east.
Is this just media hype? No!
Not at all.
A total solar eclipse is a truly awesome experience. There are eclipse chasers who travel the world to catch totality. Linda and I don’t quite qualify, however we travelled to Aruba in 1998 for our first total eclipse, which lasted 3 minutes and 30 seconds. It was incredible, and unless you’ve actually experienced one, it can’t be described.
Solar Eclipse - October 2005 (Wikipedia)
As an example of its emotional power, back in 585 BC
the Medes and Lydians were at war when a total solar eclipse occurred. They laid down their weapons and made peace!
In 2006, we travelled two days into the Sahara Desert
in Libya for our second eclipse, which lasted a wonderful 4 minutes of
totality.
Southern Ontario, southern Quebec, New Brunswick, and
the north of Prince Edward Island will all see totality on April 8. Just north of Lake Erie and then further
east, from around Prince Edward County will get up to 2 minutes of
totality. The further south in those
areas, the longer you will have. For
example, Brantford will only get a minute and a half; Toronto won’t see
totality at all. If you can be in a
place to see it, it is well worth it.
Linda and I travelled to Queensland Australia in 2012 for our third
total eclipse of just under 2 minutes!
The longest time in Canada will be in southern Quebec
and across central New Brunswick, where totality will last for over 3 minutes.
WARNING: Never
look directly at the Sun without proper protection – either solar eclipse
glasses or #14 welder’s glass. This
applies to the partial phase before totality.
Once the Moon is totally covering the Sun, you can look with your naked
eye or binoculars. AS SOON AS THE SUN
STARTS EMERGING, PUT YOUR SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES BACK ON. Damage to the eye can happen very quickly;
you won’t feel it immediately, but it will be too late.
An alternative to solar glasses is a pin-hole
box. Make a small hole in a piece of
cardboard – barely a pinprick. In the shadow from the cardboard you will see
the progress of the partial eclipse.
Anything will small holes will work, even a colander – which will give
multiple images!
Anywhere west of Ontario will get a little bit of
partial eclipse – eye protection always required. The west coast will barely notice the bite
out of the Sun.
Clear skies.
David
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