Monday's eclipse, a rare spectacle of nature

The first solar eclipse of 2024 will be visible all across North America next week.

Scott Young, Manitoba Musuem's Planetarium Astronomer, says Steinbach will see a partial eclipse.

"That's basically where the sun is not completely covered up by the moon. An eclipse happens when the moon gets in front of the sun and blocks it out. Depending on the circumstances, it could cover up part of the sun or the whole sun." 

For Manitobans, we're not fortunate enough to live in, or have easy access to, the full shadow of the total eclipse, but just the same we're excited to experience something that is a 'rare spectacle of nature', as Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques calls it.

For people who are in the path of the moon's shadow, the sky will turn as dark as night for only a few minutes as the moon slips in between Earth and the sun.  Those fortunate to live in eastern Canada, will have the opportunity to see the solar eclipse's path of totality in some cities and towns in the seven eastern provinces.

Here in Manitoba, we'll be able to see about 55 percent of the sun covered by the moon, the entire process beginning at around 12:45pm. The peak depth will be at approximately 1:58pm.

"This eclipse is a lot like other eclipses, the only significant thing that the media seems to be hyping about it is that it will be the last total solar eclipse on North American soil for the next 20 years," shares Brandon University Astronomy Professor, Dr. Todd Foster.  "So, this doesn't mean you won't be able to see a total eclipse in the next 20 years, you'll just have to leave North America in order to do it."

Dr. Foster says both solar and lunar eclipses are fairly common. "Periodically, you expect one to two per year, and sometimes it can actually be up to four total eclipses in a year, and that's including both lunar and solar. Manitobans saw a partial solar eclipse in October last year.

Foster adds most of them take place out on the vast ocean waters because the earth is 70 percent water.

"This one is special because it's happening at home for North Americans, and it will be the last one for about 20 years," he adds.  "Don't think that if you miss this one that you're never going to see another one. There is an extremely deep partial eclipse that is coming for Brandon in January 2029 where 80 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon. And that will be quite noticeable, even deeper than Monday's."

In October of 2023, Manitobans saw an Annular Solar Eclipse, but only a partial. Coming up on September 17th, 2024, Manitobans will see a partial lunar eclipse.

Brandon University is inviting the public to join them on Monday afternoon to view the eclipse through specialized filtered telescopes in front of the Brody Science building on campus, beginning at 12:45pm just before the eclipse starts. They'll end around 3pm when the eclipse will be over. 

"So, you can drop by and look at the sun through a special filtered telescope and get a close-up view of it." 

Dr. Foster stresses the importance of protecting your eyes, and says not to look at the solar eclipse with the naked eye. He says it's just not worth messing with your eyes.

"You could lose your vision in less time than it takes to blink if you look at the sun in the wrong way, especially through a magnified image like a telescope or binoculars," he cautions. "I've seen it all! I've seen people stack sunglasses on their face, that's not safe. I've seen people use garbage bags with poked holes to look at the sun, that's not safe."

"The sun will appear just as bright as it always appears on Monday because only 50-60 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon," adds Dr. Foster. "But that remaining amount is still extremely, extremely dangerous if you're looking at it directly. Just don't do it."

Government of Canada website.

Foster says there will be no meteor showers to speak of, but there will be other planetary wonders to watch for including the elusive planet Mercury. He says Mercury will be visible just after the sun sets in the sky, off deep in the west just following the sun down looking much like a bright star. 

Jupiter will also be visible. It sets about two hours after the sun in the southwest after the sunset. And the planet Saturn is rising in the morning so there is lots to watch for in the skies besides next Monday's solar eclipse.

A favorite website for Dr. Foster is Time and Date where you can see past and upcoming events in the solar system, specifically from where you live.

To learn more about Monday's solar eclipse visit the Government of Canada website HERE.

With files from Betty Sawatzky and Angela Peacock