by Dr Svetlana Barkanova

For most of us, observing the Total Solar Eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. On April 8, 2024, the Total Solar Eclipse will be visible from most of Newfoundland, and it will be the first total solar eclipse crossing the province since 1970. Where will you be on April 8, 2024? Make sure not to miss this out-of-this-world celestial show, or you will have to wait for the next one in 2079. In St John’s, you can see a partial solar eclipse, with the Sun almost completely hidden by the Moon, at 5:16pm. The Total Solar Eclipse will be visible at 5:14pm in Gander and at 5:11pm in Port Aux Basques. Check www.timeanddate.com for the exact time at your location, and let’s hope for the clear sky!

A chance to connect with astronomy enthusiasts:

The most exciting way to watch is in a group. The astronomy enthusiasts will gather on the path of totality, with most driving to Gander for the largest eclipse party in the province. Even while the Moon will cover the Sun at 99.1% in St John’s, is not the same full experience as observing the Total Solar Eclipse. If the weather is good, consider driving to one of the locations between the red lines on the map from eclipse2024.org. And what if it is cloudy? There will be live steaming available online from multiple websites such as NASA.

Diamond Ring in the Sky:

 Observers in the path of totality can also see the diamond ring effect as the last bit of photosphere disappears. As the Moon start to move away after several minutes of totality, you can have a quick glimpse of the “Diamond Ring” again, which is visible without solar filters, but please make sure to look away quickly.

The reminder of eye safety:

Eye safety is an important topic to keep in mind, whatever you are doing home renovations or admiring a solar eclipse. Remember to protect your eyes with eclipse googles or other specialized solar filters (sunglasses do not work). Remember – our Sun is a gigantic thermonuclear furnace! Never look directly at the Sun without proper protection, or you can seriously hurt your eyes. You can remove your eclipse googles for several minutes during the totality, when the Sun is completely covered by the Moon, but make sure to look away quicky as soon as the Moon moves away. The totality, lasting a few minutes, is also a great time to take photos with your cell phone camera.

Three 45-min talks about science behind the eclipse will be offered to Newfoundland and Labrador schools online, at 10am, 1pm, and 2pm on April 8.

Fun bonus fact! The 1970 eclipse is the one referenced in Carly Simon’s You’re so Vain.

With notes from NQ.