A GREAT DISAPPEARING ACT
Take caution when viewing eclipse
NOT QUITE TOTAL
Windsor is actually outside the range where this solar eclipse will be total — meaning that the moon won’t entirely block the sun for us. Instead, we’ll experience a partial eclipse. According to NASA calculations, there will be 79 to 82 per cent coverage of the sun for our region next Monday.
“It will still be impressive,” assured Steve Pellarin, instructor of astronomy at the University of Windsor. “When 82 per cent of the sun disappears, you’re going to notice a difference.”
If you want to see a total solar eclipse, you’ll need to travel around 650 kilometres southwest to Kentucky or Tennessee. Pellarin said many members of the Windsor Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be making that trip to observe “totality.”
“There’s definitely an emotional side to watching an eclipse,” Pellarin said. “I can understand why ancient people were terrified that the world was coming to an end. As a scientist, I know what’s going on — and it still makes the hair on my arms stand on end.”
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
It’s going to take about two hours and 45 minutes for the moon to finish its movement between us and the sun’s rays. For Windsor-Essex, the eclipse is expected to begin at 1:03 p.m. and end at 3:48 p.m. — reaching its peak darkness at 2:27 p.m.
“It’s a process,” Pellarin said. “The moon will start to creep from the right-hand side of the sun, from our perspective.”
The last time North America saw a solar eclipse of this magnitude was more than 38 years ago — on Feb. 26, 1979.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
Warning: Even with significant obscurement by the moon, the sun’s rays are still harmful to your eyes. No one should be looking at the eclipse without proper protection.
Regular sunglasses are not suitable — you need special viewing glasses with solar-rated filters.
“Twenty per cent of the sun can still do a lot of damage to the retina,” said Windsor optometrist Dr. Brian Blake. “Even a short period of time staring at the sun can damage the retina permanently.”
The danger lies in the fact that the retina has no pain receptors — so there’s no warning of the sun’s damage. That’s why ISO-approved or CE-certified eyewear is absolutely essential.
Pellarin said he had a quantity of eclipse-viewing glasses available for online purchase. But after selling 650 pairs, he can’t take anymore calls.
“I sold out Tuesday afternoon,” Pellarin said. “I’ve had phone calls coming out my ears.”
WHERE TO WATCH
Want to observe the eclipse with knowledgeable people? Members of the University of Windsor’s physics and environmental studies departments, as well as members of the Windsor Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, have organized a gathering at 1 p.m. on the riverfront — north of Assumption Park and just east of the Ambassador Bridge.
Pellarin said there will be a limited supply of eclipse-viewing glasses available for purchase at $3 per pair.
Mark Lubrick, a learning design specialist with the University of Windsor, will be setting up a large projector and holding a talk on eclipses. Sessional instructor Janet Hart will show you how to make your own pinhole projector.
Can’t make it to the riverfront? Blake is holding a viewing party outside his optometrist office at 2629 Howard Ave., starting at 1 p.m. There’ll be free parking and he’ll have 18 pairs of eclipse-viewing glasses for shared use.
Blake will also be inviting members of the public to have a look through his telescope equipped with filters approved for solar use.
“Most telescopes would not be safe,” Blake cautioned.
“I have a special telescope that is solar-rated.”
In Essex County, the John R. Park Homestead is hosting a ticketed viewing event, complete with family activities inspired by light and shadow, science stations, instructions on pinhole projectors and sundials, and even a yoga session. However, the Homestead event is now completely full, with 120 tickets sold.
“We had an overwhelming response,” said Kristin Ives, the Homestead’s curator and education co-ordinator. “Our original target was about 60 tickets ... We hadn’t really anticipated how excited the public would be.”
DID YOU MISS IT?
If you somehow miss the Aug. 21 eclipse, don’t feel too bad: You’ll have another chance in seven years’ time.
A total solar eclipse is expected to be visible across North America on April 8, 2024.
In fact, the 2024 eclipse should be even more dramatic for Windsor-Essex: Our region will be in the “path of totality,” with 100 per cent coverage of the sun.