On April 8, 2024, sky gazers and astronomy fans in southern Ontario will likely be handled to a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime occasion — a complete photo voltaic eclipse. This uncommon marvel happens when the Moon utterly covers the Solar, sweeping a shadow over us to disclose a mesmerizing photo voltaic corona.
We just lately requested Dr. Roan Haggar, a postdoctoral fellow and the outreach co-ordinator for the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) on the College of Waterloo, to share the science behind the photo voltaic eclipse so we will higher perceive this phenomenon because it passes over us.
What’s a photo voltaic eclipse, and why does it occur?
A photo voltaic eclipse can solely occur in the course of the Moon’s first lunar section. Generally known as the New Moon, it aligns with the Solar and Earth. Whereas the Solar is 400 instances bigger than the Moon, it additionally occurs to be located 400 instances farther away from Earth. Because of this important distance distinction, the 2 celestial our bodies are seen as the identical measurement when noticed from Earth. When the Moon transits between the Earth and the Solar it eclipses our view, inflicting the Solar’s rays to be blocked and casting a shadow onto the face of the Earth.
Why don’t we’ve got a photo voltaic eclipse each month?
The Earth orbits the Solar as soon as per yr, and on the identical time, the Moon orbits across the Earth. Nonetheless, the Moon’s orbit is tilted, which suggests, the Moon is often both above or beneath the Earth’s orbit. There are solely sure instances of the yr when the Moon strikes degree with the Earth and the Solar, making experiencing a complete eclipse uncommon.
How uncommon is a complete photo voltaic eclipse?
The Earth and Moon have predictable orbits, which is how we will predict when and the place an eclipse will happen. Whereas a complete photo voltaic eclipse occurs on Earth each one to 2 years, that is the primary time it can occur in Southern Ontario since 1925 and it received’t occur once more till 2144.
Waterloo will see solely a partial eclipse on April 8, the place roughly 99 per cent of the Solar will likely be blocked by the Moon. Nonetheless, a complete eclipse will likely be seen from a lot of southern Ontario, so that you needn’t journey far to see one. To study extra about the place you’ll be able to see a complete photo voltaic eclipse, go to the WCA web site.
What time of day will the photo voltaic eclipse happen in Ontario?
There are 4 phases to anticipate in the course of the photo voltaic eclipse:
First section: Within the afternoon, the Moon will begin to move in entrance of the Solar and a partial eclipse will start because it blocks its gentle.
Second section: Roughly an hour later, the Solar will turn out to be completely blocked by the Moon, and a complete eclipse will start. Throughout totality, the Solar, Earth and Moon will turn out to be completely aligned with each other. This second of alignment is known as “eclipse most” and can final just for a couple of minutes. In southern Ontario it can happen at round 3:20 p.m.
Third section: After the eclipse most, the third section will start and the Solar will peek out from behind the Moon.
Fourth section: Through the remaining section, the Moon will totally transfer previous the Solar, the eclipse will finish and the Solar will likely be shining once more.
What occurs as soon as the Moon covers the Solar?
The Moon is all the time shifting in relation to the Earth and the Solar, which is why section two of the eclipse will solely final a couple of minutes. As we expertise the eclipse it can get darker over the hour, then turn out to be night-time for a couple of minutes. The temperature will drop, stars will come out and it is possible for you to to see the corona of the Solar.
What are the hazards of wanting instantly at a photo voltaic eclipse?
When watching a photo voltaic eclipse, it’s essential to look by way of protected photo voltaic viewing glasses to keep away from harm to your eyes. Protected photo voltaic viewers are not less than one thousand instances darker than abnormal sun shades. The one protected time to have a look at an eclipse with out glasses is throughout totality (when the Solar is totally blocked by the Moon). Since we won’t expertise a complete eclipse in Waterloo area, it won’t be protected to view it along with your bare eye. Even only one per cent of the Solar’s eclipse is sufficient to harm your eyes.
For extra data on eclipse eye security, take a look at this Q&A with Dr. Ralph Chou.
