Hundreds gather to view rare solar eclipse at TMU
TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party attracted more than 700 people. For more photos of the event, scroll through the images below. (Photo: Sarah McIntyre)
More than 700 people recently gathered at TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (for most) to see a solar eclipse.
The rare celestial event took place on Monday, April 8 - and to honour it, TMU’s SciXchange threw a “watch party” in the quad at Kerr Hall.
Armed with special eclipse glasses and eager anticipation, hundreds of students, faculty, staff, kids, families – and even a few doggies – set up in the quad to take in the unique cosmic occurrence.
Celebrating ‘the scientist in us all’
Leigh Paulseth, science enrichment and outreach coordinator at SciXchange, said they were thrilled to bring the TMU community together with partners and the public “to feed curiosity about our universe and celebrate the scientist in us all.”
TMU astronomer Dave Kirsh added, “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.”
While temporary cloud cover limited the chance to view the eclipse at its peak, it didn’t dampen the spirits of most onlookers.
“We can’t see it, but we can feel it,” one enthusiast told CBC’s Chris Glover, remarking on the drop in temperature and how dark it became.
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.
Below, check out photos of the event:
Some eclipse enthusiasts got especially comfy for the big event. (Photo: Sarah McIntyre)
Each of the registrants at TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party were given special protective glasses. The event was so popular, even the waitlist was full. (Photo: Sarah McIntyre)
Kids at TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party explain what they thought about the eclipse with CP24 reporter Andrew Brennan. (Photo: Lindsey Craig)
Members of SciXchange, TMU’s outreach office for the Faculty of Science, were on hand to chat about all things eclipse. Attendees also had the chance to create pinhole viewers, watch a live stream from NASA and more. (Photo: Sarah McIntyre)
Darkness begins to take hold as the eclipse nears its climatic moment. (Photo: Sarah McIntyre)
CP24 reporter Andrew Brennan interviews SciXchange Director Emily Agard at TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party. (Photo: Lindsey Craig)
TMU’s SciXchange organized various interactive booths where kids could craft pinhole viewers and more. (Photo: Sarah McIntyre)
CBC Toronto’s Chris Glover interviews a group of young students at TMU’s Solar Eclipse Watch Party.