On April 8th, a rare cosmic event will take place which will plunge parts of Ontario into sudden darkness. The earth, moon and sun will line up in their orbits in a rare event known as syzygy. As the moon passes in front of the sun, it blocks the light and casts a dark shadow on the earth. This event is known as a solar eclipse, and southern Ontario is positioned to have some of the greatest experiences. It has not happened in Ontario since 1979 and won’t occur again until 2099!
The Path of Totality
One of the most sought-after experiences for eclipse chasers is witnessing the totality – the brief period when the sun is completely obscured. This narrow corridor, known as the path of totality, traverses the Earth as the moon’s shadow dances across its surface. Viewers in Hamilton will be able to see a full eclipse as they fall under the path of totality for less than two minutes, beginning at 3:18pm.
To learn more about solar eclipses and to access more resources, visit the Ontario Science Centre website.
Safety Tips
As the moon blocks much of our vision of the sun and its shadow passes over the earth, it is tempting to stare up at the spectacular event in the sky. Because much of the bright light is blocked, it is easier to stare at the sun without it hurting our eyes. However, the UV rays can still cause lasting damage to the retina of the eye, so it is important to view this event safely.
The best way to do this is by using eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses are not safe to look directly at the sun with so it is important to get certified ISO 12312-2 glasses, made specifically for viewing the sun. Be sure to check that your lens are not damaged or scratched before use.
