Solar eclipse: what to expect while watching in Calgary
CBC
It's not every day that the regular patterns of the celestial objects in our sky get disrupted, but on April 8, people across Canada will be able to witness just that.
Albertans will experience a partial solar eclipse on Monday, as the moon, on its path between earth and the sun, blocks out a chunk of the latter.
Parts of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and P.E.I. will be in the eclipse's path of totality, where the moon will briefly block out the sun completely.
And even though those in the west won't get a glimpse from these coveted vantage points, Jeroen Stil, associate professor of astronomy at the University of Calgary, said viewing the phenomenon is still worthwhile.
"We don't get so many eclipses, you know, they don't happen every year, at least at any particular place in the world," said Stil. "So it's exciting to have one and to share it with people who are interested."
Stil said the eclipse will last for around two hours, beginning at 11:48 a.m. At 12:43, the moon will cover the largest portion of the sun, around one-third's worth.
"I like to compare it [to] a big chocolate chip cookie that somebody took a bite out of," said Stil.
"The very first part of the eclipse … you will not see much because it's a tiny little dent in the sun that will slowly grow bigger.
"It's like first a small nibble out of the cookie and then an ever bigger bite … So you'll see the dark silhouette of the moon in front of the sun and it's quite a spectacular thing to see."
Stil stressed the importance of using the proper equipment during the entirety of the event — specialized eclipse glasses that will protect your eyes from the sun's powerful rays.
If you don't have eclipse glasses, Stil suggests punching a small hole in a thick piece of paper, and holding a white piece of paper opposite the hole from the sun. There, on the piece of paper, a safe image of the sun will appear through the hole.
Stil said he is planning to take part in a free drop-in eclipse viewing event put on by the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory (RAO) at the University of Calgary campus on Monday.
A spokesperson for the event said the RAO will be set up on Green Space 20, near the Taylor Institute.
They added they will have a limited number of eclipse glasses to give out to Calgarians on a first-come first-serve basis, and dedicated solar telescopes to give watchers a magnified view of the eclipse.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.