Partial solar eclipse to greet early risers in eastern Canada on Saturday
Are you ready to witness a celestial spectacle this weekend? Eastern Canada is in for a treat with a partial solar eclipse set to grace the skies on Saturday morning. As the moon passes in front of the sun, creating a mesmerizing cosmic dance, lucky spectators in specific regions will have the opportunity to witness this awe-inspiring event.
To catch a glimpse of the partial solar eclipse, you’ll need to set your alarm clock early as the celestial show begins just before sunrise. The key to witnessing this phenomenon is being in the right place at the right time with the right equipment, according to Elaina Hyde, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at York University in Toronto.
The prime viewing locations for this partial solar eclipse are in eastern Canada, particularly northern Quebec and Atlantic Canada. In cities like Iqaluit, Happy Valley Goose Bay, and Sept-Îles, the sun will be covered by a significant percentage, ranging from 89% to 92%. Other cities like Corner Brook, Summerside, Saint John, and Halifax will also experience a substantial coverage of the sun, with percentages exceeding 80%.
However, for those in eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, the sun will only be partially covered by the moon, ranging from approximately eight to 45 percent. Unfortunately, this celestial event will not be visible in Toronto.
It’s crucial to remember that observing a solar eclipse without proper protection can be extremely dangerous and may cause permanent damage to your eyes. To safely watch the eclipse, make sure to use solar viewing glasses, a pinhole camera, or even a pasta strainer from your kitchen. By holding a pasta strainer in front of you during the eclipse, you can see the sun’s crescent shape projected onto the ground.
If you plan to reuse eclipse glasses from previous events, ensure they are free of scratches as even a small scratch can allow harmful sunlight to enter your eyes. To determine the visibility of the partial solar eclipse from your location, you can use an interactive map on TimeandDate.com.
For those unable to witness the eclipse in person, TimeandDate.com and the Royal Observatory Greenwich will be hosting live streams of the event. While a partial solar eclipse may not be as grand as a total solar eclipse, it is still a captivating experience to watch the moon slowly pass in front of the sun.
So, grab your solar glasses, set your alarms, and prepare to be dazzled by the celestial phenomenon unfolding in the skies of eastern Canada this weekend. Remember, with the right preparation and a bit of luck, you can witness the magic of a partial solar eclipse right from your own backyard.
