In Sudbury, the eclipse will start at 2:05 p.m. on April 8 and will reach its maximum at 3:19 p.m.
On April 8, a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse will sweep across North America and Science North is inviting the community to a free viewing party.
A solar eclipse occurs when a new moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. Some areas experience a lighter shadow, the penumbra, while others experience the full shadow, the umbra. The path of the shadow changes with each eclipse. Although the sun and moon align roughly every 18 months, Ontario last witnessed a total solar eclipse in 1979. The next won’t occur here until 2106.
Science North will be celebrating this legendary event with the following programming.
– Solar telescope viewing.
– Indirect viewing with pinhole viewers, colanders and more.
– Direct viewing with special eclipse glasses.
– Hands-on science activities.
– Visit with SNOLAB.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chair if they plan on taking part in outdoor activities. In the event of clouds or rain, all activities will take place in the Vale Cavern with a livestream of the eclipse.
Indoor activities take place from 12:30-4 p.m.:
– Total solar eclipse livestream in the Vale Cavern (while the livestream is free of charge, admission is still being charged for the science centre.)
– Planetarium shows throughout the day (additional cost).
Please note, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. If you do not have eclipse glasses, you can use an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the sun. For more information about indirect viewing, please visit the Canadian Space Agency at asc-csa.gc.ca.
Science North is also hosting a solar eclipse social for their 50 and older audience from 10-11:30 a.m. Included in the event is a pair of eclipse glasses, light refreshments, a special talk about the science of solar eclipses by staff scientist Olathe MacIntyre, as well as admission to the science centre following the talk. Tickets for the event are $22 and are on sale at sciencenorth.ca/planetarium#eclipse or in person at Science North.
