An extremely rare astronomical event will occur in parts of southern Ontario on Monday, April 8, 2024, when the moon will completely cover the sun, creating a total solar eclipse!

While Waterloo Region is not in the path of totality, it is expected that daylight will turn to dusk-like conditions with approximately 99.4% of the sun being covered over our region, according to the Kitchener-Waterloo Astronomy Club.

Within a short drive of Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, there are many locales that are expected to experience a total eclipse, such as: Port Colborne, Niagara Region, Burlington, Kingston, Belleville, Brockville, and Cornwall. For several minutes these regions are expected to: lose daylight, have a noticeable drop in temperature, and potentially cause wildlife to act strangely.

Experts are reminding people to never look directly at the sun, as permanent eye damage can occur in seconds. The only safe way to look at the sun (and the eclipse) is with a pair of solar filter glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2: 2015 standard.

Eye Safety Tips for Viewing the Solar Eclipse

The University of Waterloo’s Centre for Astrophysics has shared this and a few more tips to keep in mind when attempting to safely view this year’s solar eclipse:

• Use ISO-certified solar glasses any time you’re looking up at the sun, even if it’s 99% covered
• If you’re out of the path of totality (including in Waterloo Region), it is never safe to look at the sun without proper protection – even for a split second
• If you aren’t able to get an ISO-certified solar viewer, consider making a pinhole camera to view the event: How to make your pinhole projector for eclipse? | Canadian Space Agency (asc-csa.gc.ca)
• Also keep in mind, your photography equipment, such as a smartphone camera or digital SLR, will need a solar filter to appropriately capture the eclipse. Photographers warn that pointing a camera directly at the sun can burn a hole in the sensor, creating a permanent sunspot

Eclipse Safety Tips While Driving

Our insurance company partner, Northbridge Insurance, has shared the following tips to keep top of mind if you’re driving during the eclipse on April 8:

• Ensure vehicle headlights are on while driving
• Keep your eyes on the road and avoid looking at the eclipse
• Do not wear eclipse viewing glasses while operating a vehicle
• Do not attempt to take photographs or videos while driving
• Do not stop your vehicle on the road or shoulder
• Be alert for increased pedestrian traffic on or near roadways
• Respect posted speed limits and traffic directives
• Always wear your seatbelt
• Never drive impaired

If you’re not able to get outside to view the eclipse, NASA will have a livestream on its YouTube channel: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA (Official Trailer) (youtube.com)

This is the first total eclipse to be seen in southern Ontario in 99 years and will be the last one until 2144.

Be wise, be safe, and enjoy this very rare celestial experience.

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