Canada to Witness Partial Solar Eclipse on Saturday: A Celestial Spectacle for Canadians

Partial Solar Eclipse to be Visible in Canada on Saturday

Residents of southwestern British Columbia have the best view

A partial solar eclipse, known as an annular eclipse, will be visible in Canada this Saturday. The residents of southwestern British Columbia are in the prime location to observe this eclipse during the morning hours. However, the Moon will also discreetly cover the Sun in the eastern part of the country in the early afternoon. In Quebec, the eclipse will be visible from 12:11 PM to 2:23 PM, as stated by the Society of Astronomy of the Planétarium de Montréal (SAPM) on their website. In Montreal, the Sun will be eclipsed by a maximum of 17% at the peak of the eclipse at 1:17 PM. However, in other parts of Canada, the maximum eclipse can reach 79%. In Toronto, the maximum eclipse will occur at 1:10 PM, with 27% of the Sun covered.

Varied Levels of Obscurity

While a significant portion of the Sun will be covered this weekend, do not expect to notice a significant decrease in daylight. This also means that it is essential not to directly look at the Sun without proper protection. According to Paul Delaney, an emeritus professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University in Toronto, “You should always observe the Sun with caution and ensure that the method you are using is safe.” One of the best methods is to project an image of the Sun from a telescope onto a piece of paper or another surface. There are also online viewing options available if you do not have proper eye protection or if the sky is cloudy. NASA will be live-streaming the eclipse from 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM ET on its YouTube channel.

What is an Annular Eclipse?

During an annular eclipse, the Moon is slightly further away from the Earth than during a total eclipse. As a result, from our perspective, the Moon’s diameter appears slightly smaller than that of the Sun, creating a ring of orange light. Annular eclipses are rarer than other types of solar eclipses, as indicated by Professor Delaney. The Moon needs to be further away from the Earth than usual and properly aligned with the Sun for an annular eclipse to occur. This combination happens on average once every two to three years. Although the Sun is approximately 400 times larger than the Moon, it is also 400 times farther away, which is why the two celestial bodies appear similar in size from Earth.

Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse

The next total solar eclipse visible in Canada will occur on April 8th. The path of the eclipse’s maximum shadow will sweep across Mexico, the United States, and the eastern part of Canada. This time, Canadians in parts of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador will have the best vantage point.

In conclusion, this weekend’s annular solar eclipse provides an exciting opportunity for Canadians to witness a celestial event. However, it is crucial to view the eclipse safely and avoid looking directly at the Sun. By following the recommended methods and utilizing available resources, such as online viewing options, Canadians can fully enjoy and appreciate the wonders of the cosmos while protecting their vision.