‘Once in a lifetime’
Best location, special events, dos and don’ts to see the total solar eclipse on April 8
Astronomers are calling the upcoming total solar eclipse a “once in a lifetime event” because it will be the first one to occur in 50 years in Atlantic Canada and the last one for more than a generation – the next one visible in Atlantic Canada will be in 2079.
Hilding Neilson, an assistant professor with the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography at Memorial University, says this eclipse is different because its true rarity comes from the need to be in the right place and at the right time.
“The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in Atlantic Canada was July 10, 1972, when the path of totality went through northern New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. There was also one in 1970 where the path of totality went through Nova Scotia and central Newfoundland. This coming eclipse follows a similar route but to the west of the 1970 eclipse,” said Neilson.
The total solar eclipse is due on Monday afternoon, April 8.
For eclipse chasers, there will be a total solar eclipse in western Canada in 2044.
“There have been partial and annular solar eclipses in Atlantic Canada, which are more common. A partial solar eclipse was visible from Halifax on Oct. 14, 2023, with only about 10 or 15 per cent of the sun’s disc covered,” said Professor David Hoskin of the Department of Pathology at Dalhousie University.
“But even if you’re in the path of maximum coverage, during an annular solar eclipse, the moon appears smaller than the sun, so you get a ‘ring of fire’ where you see the dark centre surrounded by a visible part of the sun.”
While many will be out to view this astronomical phenomenon, schools across Atlantic Canada are preparing to close early.
P.E.I.’s Athena Community Astronomy Club (ACAC) member Michael Nesbitt advises preparing children and youth with information about what to expect, so they don’t take chances with safety.
“Direct, unprotected viewing of the sun is not a good experiment. If something does happen, sight can be affected, and trained professionals should examine indications of such,” said Nesbitt.
Solar eclipse filters or glasses must have ISO12312-2 certification (the international safety standard) and can be purchased from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Neilson says several organizations, such as Discover the Universe, are distributing glasses to schools and libraries along the eclipse path.
“If you have glasses, you should check that they are ISO-certified, and before going outside, carefully check them for any damage and whether you can see through them,” said Neilson.
For those who do not have ISO-certified glasses or equipment, Hoskin suggests making a pinhole camera that will indirectly project an image of the sun on a surface such as white paper.
Hoskin points to the government website NASA for information on making a pinhole camera with everyday household items such as a shoe box and wax paper.
“If you don’t have a proper filter on your camera, you can take a picture with your cell phone from the projected pinhole camera image,” said Hoskin.
But Hoskin stresses that those looking to purchase eclipse glasses should get them from a reputable place.
“Do not go to Amazon or online to unknown suppliers. Note that during the brief period of totality, eye protection can be removed.”
The best way to keep pets and animals safe is to keep them inside during the eclipse, especially near the time of totality.
“Historically, some animals exhibit strange and extreme behaviours during eclipses,” said Neilson.
“That advised, the Buffalo Zoo in New York is creating an event for the public to observe how animals react to the eclipse,” added Nesbitt, acknowledging birds may go quiet and nocturnal animals stir.
Looking at the path of totality, the best view of the total solar eclipse in Atlantic Canada will be in Prince County, P.E.I.
“Our view of totality will last for about three minutes and 30 seconds at the prime site of North Cape (the midline will be about a kilometre off the coast), diminish to about 20 seconds in Summerside and reduce to a partial eclipse east of a line from central Bedeque to North Rustico,” said Nesbitt.
“Many people will consider only ‘the event,’ the totality, but the whole process of the moon passing in front of the sun will take a couple of hours, so I recommended to be in place well before the totality.”
The timing of the eclipse will differ on location.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada shares a link to TimeandDate.com with an interactive map for finding eclipse timings for any location along the path.
From the interactive map, Halifax’s start time (first contact) is 3:27 p.m. In Charlottetown the time will be 3:28 p.m. and in St. John’s it will be 4:09 p.m.
Hoskin says he plans to travel where the eclipse will be most visible.
“It will be a challenge in early April, but the western tip of P.E.I. will have the best visibility with 35 per cent clear skies. And in other parts of Atlantic Canada, it is 30 per cent or less due to the altitude and weather patterns. So, I amwatching Atlantic Canada’s weather predictions.”
There will be public observation events throughout Atlantic Canada during the day.
Saint Mary’s University in Halifax plans for its Astronomy and Physics department to host a campus event for safe solar observation with some solar telescopes and eclipse glasses.
Neilson is working with the town of Gander, N.L., to throw a Solar Eclipse Soiree from April 5 to 8, working with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, the Johnson GeoCentre from St. John’s, Terra Nova National Park, Let’s Talk Science and more.
The Solar Eclipse Soiree will host public talks, planetarium shows and youth events in advance to celebrate the big event with people from across the region.
For those looking for something different, the Beach Goats in St. Chrysostome, P.E.I., plans to host a public viewing for $10, with eclipse glasses for an additional $5.
ACAC has scheduled a one-hour casual information session at the Inspire Centre Rotary Regional Library in Summerside for March 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For astronomers, the eclipse is a chance to observe the sun’s corona, which can reach millions of degrees Celsius.
“We are lucky to be in the one place in the solar system where our moon and sun appear to be the same size in the sky. By studying the corona, we learn about the sun’s wind, magnetic field and evolution,” said Neilson.