What you need to know about the solar eclipse on April 8
Astronomer Dave Kirsh says that while the view of the eclipse from Toronto on April 8 will still leave a tiny sliver of the sun exposed (0.2 per cent), it will still be a "fantastic viewing opportunity". (Photo: Jongsun Lee on Unsplash)
Recently, “solar eclipse” has been dominating news headlines, hotels in Niagara Falls have been booked for months, and it seems everyone is clamouring for eclipse safety glasses.
So, what exactly is this celestial event happening on April 8?
To find out, TorontoMet Today sat down with Dave Kirsh, who teaches astronomy at TMU.
He explains that the chance to see a total solar eclipse, which occurs when the sun is obscured by the moon, is “rare”.
“They do happen every year or two, but they are only visible in small areas located randomly around the world,” he explained.
The last time a “total” solar eclipse (that is, when the shadow of the moon covers the sun entirely) could be seen from Toronto was in 1925, and the next time after this will be in 2144.
"To have an eclipse this close to us is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. And not only are we in approximately the right place, it’s happening conveniently in the middle of the afternoon."
“It’s highly unlikely that anyone you know has ever seen a total solar eclipse, except for world travelers willing to cross borders or oceans to do it,” Kirsh said. “Even seeing a partial eclipse is something many people have never managed.”
The astronomer recalls when he had the chance to see a partial eclipse when he was a child - on May 10, 1994.
“To see any eclipse is to experience a shift in perspective, to realize that something as seemingly permanent as our view of the sun can actually change. It’s a chance to feel really small but also in a special place in the universe,” he said.
NOTE: To watch the solar eclipse safely on April 8, viewers must wear special protective glasses with certified lenses. The certification ISO 12312-2 should be printed on the glasses, which means the glasses meet international safety standards.
TMU Solar Eclipse Watch Party
On April 8, more than 700 people will gather at TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party in the quad at Kerr Hall from 2-4:30 p.m., when the extraordinary celestial event is set to take place.
The event has been so in-demand, registration and waitlist are full.
Organized by SciXchange, TMU’s outreach office for the Faculty of Science, attendees will include TMU students, community members, school children, families, local residents and more.
“We’re so pleased to offer this watch party,” said Leigh Paulseth, science enrichment and outreach coordinator at SciXchange. “It will bring the TMU community together with community partners and the broader public to feed curiosity about our universe and celebrate the scientist in us all.”
Participants will be equipped with eclipse safety glasses to safely observe the solar phenomenon.
Attendees will also have the chance to craft pinhole viewers, visit educational booths where they can learn more about the eclipse, and view a live stream from NASA.
TMU’s physics department will also have a telescope and camera set up to capture the event.
While Kirsh says viewing the partial eclipse from Toronto will still leave a tiny sliver of the sun exposed (0.2 per cent), it will still be a fantastic viewing opportunity.
“I have been lucky enough to see two partial eclipses from Toronto, when the sun was 40 per cent and 70 per cent covered, and both events were terrific,” he said.
“Seeing any eclipse creates a strong feeling of connection – to the world, to the cosmos – but being with people and sharing the wonder of it all makes it even more powerful"
Niagara Falls to see “total” eclipse
On April 8, Kirsh and other members of SciXchange will be taking in the eclipse from Niagara Falls which is said to be the best viewing point for the event.
That’s because there will be a 100 per cent shadow of the moon over the sun and a true “total” solar eclipse will occur. (This will be the case for the southwest Hamilton and Niagara area in general, or east past Port Hope, Kirsh said, but not Toronto).
“Niagara will be exceptional because it is already accustomed to travelers and has beautiful sites for waiting and watching,” he said, adding, “Compared to Hamilton, Niagara is deeper into the passing shadow of the moon and so will experience a longer eclipse.”
Kirsh and the SciXchange team will be set up at the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory to spread the word about the event, help answer questions about what’s happening, and ensure onlookers know to wear eye protection, which is crucial to prevent the burning of the eyes.
A group of friends view an eclipse together in 2017. (Photo: Adam Smith/Unsplash)
When will the eclipse occur?
The moon will start crossing in front of the sun around 2 p.m. that day. The maximum coverage is estimated to occur at 3:19:56 p.m. (between 3:19-3:20 p.m.), with the sun completely covered for three and a half minutes of nightfall (in the Niagara region), concluding by 4:30 p.m.
“The best time to observe will be when the sun is covered up, so don’t expect to be satisfied if you finally go out to take a peek past 4 p.m.,” Kirsh said. “Get out there with your eclipse glasses at 3:19 p.m.”
What to watch for
While Kirsh said the first hour will be interesting to watch, it’s at that specific time – between 3:19 and 3:20 p.m. – for those in Hamilton or Niagara – when everything will change.
“It’s in the last moment before the sun is completely covered, a diamond ring effect happens as the last flash of sunlight sparkles through the moon’s cratered edge,” Kirsh explained.
After that, Kirsh says, as “totality” begins, night will suddenly fall, Jupiter and Venus will become visible and the air temperature will drop.
Path of totality
The total solar eclipse will not occur in Toronto. But in the Hamilton and Niagara regions, the shadow of the moon will block 100 per cent of the sun – for a maximum of 3.5 minutes.
For those who are observing the total solar eclipse, this is the moment when they may choose to view the totally eclipsed sun with the naked eye. (During the partial phase of the eclipse, viewers must wear certified solar eclipse glasses.)
Kirsh says for those who can view the eclipse in totality, it will be spectacular.
“If you’re viewing the eclipse in totality, you’ll see that the sun has been replaced by a black disk. It is surrounded by hazy glowing wisps – the sun’s corona, its thin atmosphere, gasses driven outwards by powerful magnetic fields. This is the only time you can ever hope to see the corona, which is normally completely lost in the sun’s glare,” he said.
“If you’re with people, you’ll definitely hear their reaction,” he added.
For more information on TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party, please visit torontomu.ca/eclipse2024.