The eclipse – an aweinspiring experience
The buzz about the eclipse grew exponentially as the time grew nearer to the event. By Monday morning plans were in place for many. Some opted for a group experience, in Bromont, Sutton, Knowlton, and at the beach in Cowansville, or elsewhere, and others chose to live the moment in their own back yard.
As the morning passed by, heavy traffic leaving Montreal, heading towards the Townships, was reported on all news agencies. It was a perfect day for the eclipse, clear skies and warm temperatures.
The weather forecast in the path of the eclipse in the province of Quebec was the best in all of North America for viewing. For the month of April that was a lucky break.
The event started around 2:15 p.m. and it took until nearly 3:30 for the darkness to come. As the moon slowly covered the sun, the shadows changed and the quality of the light grew quite eerie. As the total eclipse approached, birds started to sqawk and dogs began to bark. During the short time of darkness the silence was palpable. As the eclipse had been progressing, the temperature had begun to drop, and an odd, cool breeze picked up.
At the eclipse began to shift to the other side, for several moments it was as if the sun was setting in a 360-degree motion. A strange glow of light encircled. There was something spiritual about the event. Mother Nature, both off and on this planet, is more powerful than we will ever be.
The second half of the event seemed to go much faster. All too soon it was over. But for days afterward, the experience of the eclipse was the topic between friends and strangers alike.
Canadians will have to wait twenty years for the next total eclipse, and that will be mainly visible in the Northwest Territories and Alberta. In Quebec it won’t be visible again until 2106!!
Those eclipse glasses can be given new life. Astronomers Without Borders are collecting glasses through the Montreal Planetarium. Send them by mail to Montreal Planetarium, 4801 Ave. Pierre-de Coubertin, Montreal, Qc, H1V 3V4. The glasses will be verified and then passed on to viewers in less privileged eclipse gazers around the world.