The total solar eclipse will plunge parts of the continent into minutes of darkness for millions of people, from the southern reaches of Mexico to Canada’s northeastern borders. North Americans will be treated to a heavenly feast on April 8.
As hordes of people prepare to flock to areas lined up along the path of totality, many of those experiencing a total solar eclipse for the first time are turning to social media to find answers on how to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime event. generation event.
READ MORE: Solar eclipse 2024: Travelers kick off Canadian tourism boom for ‘once-in-a-generation’ solar eclipse on April 8
Yahoo News Canada He spoke with Greg Lisk of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to give you everything you need to know about how a solar eclipse occurs, where to best see it, and how to keep yourself safe.
🌗What is a solar eclipse?
According to NASA, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth at the right time.
There are several types of solar eclipses: partial, annular, and total. What makes the 2024 eclipse significant is that this celestial event is a total solar eclipse, meaning that for those on the path to totality, the Moon completely blocks all sunlight for several minutes.
Many of you may be wondering, “How do we know in advance that there will be an eclipse on a particular day?” you wonder.
“We have known for decades that there would be a solar eclipse in the area,” Lisk explains. “We have calculated the Moon’s orbit so precisely that we know exactly at what moment the Moon will block sunlight from reaching the Earth.”
🕗What time will the solar eclipse occur across Canada?
“The eclipse’s shadow will be traveling at 2,000 miles per hour when it reaches Canada,” Lisk said.
Lisk explains that the moon will begin passing in front of the sun about an hour before totality and will end an hour after totality.
In Canada, the partial eclipse will begin around 2:07 p.m. as it enters the Canadian border in southeastern Ontario, and those on the northeastern Canadian portion of the path can expect the sunlight to begin to darken at approximately 4 p.m. EDT.
🇨🇦 Where will the 2024 solar eclipse be seen in Canada?
Canadian provinces on the path to totality include:
Ontario
Quebec
new brunswick
Newfoundland
READ MORE: Solar eclipse 2024 events: Canada’s best cities to experience ‘astronomical’ solar eclipse on April 8
Notable cities to experience totality are Niagara Falls, Ont., Kingston, Ont., Montreal, Que., Fredericton, NB and Gander, NFL.
In the chart below, you’ll see all the major eclipse hotspots in Canada listed with the start time and duration indicated next to them.
Lisk explained that those living outside the path of the eclipse will witness a small portion of the moon blocking the sun.
“There will be a 10 percent shadow in front of the sun in British Columbia, so unless you look at the sun through a filter you won’t even know the eclipse is happening,” Lisk said.
🌎What is the path of integrity?
Lisk explains that the path of totality is the center line that the moon’s shadow follows on the earth.
“It’s about 100 miles across,” Lisk says. “The size of the shadow as it rests on the earth depends on the angle at which it strikes the earth. When moving from Mexico/Texas it strikes the earth squarely, but as it moves up in Canada the shadow is visibly noticeable” extending along the curve of the earth.
☀️🌗 🌑 What are the stages of a solar eclipse?
Phase 1: Partial phase
This is where you’ll start to see the moon appear in front of the sun, Lisk explains. The duration of this phase lasts about an hour as the Moon covers more and more of the Sun.
Lisk says that when 90% of the sun is covered, one observable effect is that the surrounding shadows become very sharp because the source of sunlight is coming from a very narrow point.
Stage 2: Diamond ring effect
When the moon moves to almost completely block the sun, the sky will darken to the point that you will observe a glow emanating from around the moon; Lisk explains that this is the sun’s corona.
“The last exposed bit of the sun creates this sharp, bright light that will last for a few seconds and it will look kind of like a diamond ring,” Lisk says. “This is when you know wholeness is about to occur.”
Stage 3: Baily’s Beads
When the diamond ring fades, but before the sun disappears completely, an effect known as Baily Beads occurs.
“The edge of the Moon is not a completely smooth ball, there are mountains and craters on the Moon, so small bits of sunlight will filter through these peaks and valleys and be observed by viewers,” Lisk said.
Stage 4: Integrity
Lisk explains that when the last light disappears, the sky will become completely dark.
“You’ll see stars, planets, and the sun’s corona glow around the moon, which should be spectacular this year because we’re approaching the solar maximum of this solar cycle,” Lisk said. said. Looking at the lower right side of the eclipse, the planet Venus will appear brightly, while Mars and Saturn will be visible further down.
Lisk says the length of totality can vary from a few seconds to three minutes, depending on where the viewer is positioned in the totality path.
🦅 What are the effects that will be observed on nature during totality?
There are many significant impacts that will occur in the natural world as and during totality approaches.
“You’ll see birds will start roosting, bats will start circling, and nocturnal insects will start chirping,” Lisk said.
READ MORE: No, birds will not fall from the sky on April 8
As the eclipse’s shadows move towards totality, another important sign that the eclipse has occurred is the large drop in temperature. “When the last 10 percent of the sun is covered, the temperature can drop to 10-15 degrees,” Lisk said.
😎 How can I keep myself safe during a solar eclipse?
“On a normal day, we don’t normally feel the urge to look at the sun, so this isn’t normally a concern,” Lisk said.
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Lisk warns that eclipse glasses are absolutely essential if you’ll be looking at the sky, as the entire duration of the eclipse will last several hours.
“Since the sun’s rays will be harmful, you will need to keep glasses on your face throughout the entire partial phase — before and after totality,” Lisk said. “You can take off your glasses when the little piece is about to disappear.”
Lisk also warns to check your Eclipse glasses as scammers are taking advantage of the eclipse to sell fake glasses. Lisk recommends purchasing them from a legitimate distributor and making sure they are ISO certified.
READ MORE: Fake solar eclipse glasses are being sold. Here’s what you need to look out for and where to buy legal ones
“You can test that they’re safe by shining them at a very bright light source, like your smartphone’s LED flashlight. If you hold the glasses directly over the light, you should only see the actual frame of the LED, nothing more.” Lisk said.
Lisk also offers a warning to anyone who might be on the roads.
“If you can get out of the way during totality, I recommend doing so,” Lisk said. “If you are near a street, be aware of your surroundings, as distracted drivers are likely to look up as the eclipse occurs.”
☁️ What happens if the weather is cloudy on April 8?
While clear skies on April 8 seem more of a hope than a reality given past meteorological trends, here’s what you’ll be looking for during the eclipse if skies are overcast.
Lisk explains that if there is thin cloud cover on April 8, you can still make out the phases of the eclipse.
“If it rains, temperatures will drop and it will be dark as night.” Lisk said.
Lisk’s first tip for eclipse photography is simple. Don’t do that.
“Don’t mess with camera equipment. You’ll fiddle with settings and miss much of the actual eclipse due to changing lighting conditions,” Lisk said. “Just experience it.”
Lisk offers a special warning when using devices that point at the sun: “Do not use your eclipse glasses when looking through binoculars, a video camera, or a camera lens.” Sunlight will focus on the windows and create a hole through them. The front lens of any device you use during the eclipse must be covered with a solar filter.
If you’re planning to film the eclipse, Lisk has this simple advice: stay away from people.
“When totality occurs, people will lose their minds, scream and yell,” Lisk said. “I’ve watched a lot of eclipse videos and all you can hear is someone screaming their head off.”
Yahoo News Canada will provide live broadcast The solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024.