Solar eclipses happen when the orbits of the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a way where the Moon blocks the light of the Sun from reaching the Earth.
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. What you can see during a solar eclipse will depend on factors such as the weather and where you are watching the eclipse from. While cities such as Kingston, Niagara Falls, and Hamilton will be in the path of totality, allowing them to experience the full effects of the eclipse, Markham falls just outside of this path. Those in Markham will still be able to experience a partial solar eclipse between 2:05 PM and 4:30 PM, with the maximum eclipse taking place around 3:20 PM.
While a total solar eclipse is rare and exciting (the last one to happen in Ontario was in 1979 and the next one is not expected to take place until 2099!), it is important to remember that it is never safe to look directly at the Sun as it can cause permanent and severe damage to your eyes. If you are planning on watching the eclipse, you must use a pair of solar eclipse glasses with filters that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Regular sunglasses, homemade filters and unfiltered cameras, binoculars, and telescopes offer limited protection and can permanently damage your eyes.
If you can't make it to watch the eclipse in person, several organizations are offering free streams of the eclipse from locations around the world:
- The University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, opens a new window will be offering a livestream of the eclipse in locations throughout Canada. The stream will also feature commentary by experts at each location
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), opens a new window will be streaming from locations across the United States and will also include appearances by NASA experts and astronauts and the chance to learn more about NASA’s eclipse science experiments
- The National Science Foundation and the National Solar Observatory, opens a new window will be streaming the total eclipse from Dallas, Texas:. Designer to be educational, this stream will also feature the work of several solar scientists
- The Exploratorium, opens a new window will be offering four live streams of the total solar eclipse from Junction, Texas and Torreón, Mexico. The streams will include options for live commentary in Spanish and English as well as live music
Further Reading on Solar Eclipses:
- Canadian Space Agency, opens a new window
- Ontario Science Centre, opens a new window
- NASA, opens a new window
- Time and Date - Markham, opens a new window
- Ontario towns and cities in the path of totality, opens a new window
Further Reading on Solar Eclipse Safety:
- Oak Valley Health – How to Safely View a Solar Eclipse, opens a new window
- Canadian Association of Optometrists - Solar Eclipse Safety, opens a new window
- Mayo Clinic - How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely, opens a new window
Learn more about solar eclipses!
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