Important Solar Eclipse Info in Essex County
After watching the video posted above, we just wanted to share some interesting facts about why this eclipse is so special. The last TOTAL solar eclipse in our area was in 1806! You may remember in 1979, another eclipse that was very close to us; however, totality was in the Winnipeg area. What you might also remember is that you weren't able to take off solar glasses at any point, or look up at the sun from this area. If you are in Windsor or Amherstburg, you will again see a very eclipsed sun, but not experience the couple minutes of darkness (which will be similar to twilight or the level of luminosity during a full moon). Please DON'T miss totality!
The difference between total solar eclipse vs a partial solar eclipse is literally the difference between night and day.
If you are not in the path of totality you will barely know a solar eclipse is taking place. Even when the sun is 99.999% covered by the moon the sky will look like daylight. The 1% or even less of the sun that is not covered is still extremely bright and you should NOT look at the sun then without proper solar glasses. You could permanently damage your eyesight. Continue reading below to find where to buy your own pair of glasses or other ways to safely view the eclipse.
Please check this map for totality viewing locaitons and feel free to reach out to us at we2024eclipse@rascwindsor.com with any questions.
This website will show you an interactive map. Feel free to click on any location where you might plan to be on the big day, and you will be able to see whether or not you are in totality, and for how long.
Some notes:
-These times are in UST (Universal Standard Time, aka Greenwich Time) so please make sure you are aware that totality in our area starts at around 3:15pm in all locations, give or take a minute.)
-If you click on a place on the map and it says 99.9% or less "obscuration", that means this particular, exact location will not be in totality and it will not be safe to take your glasses off at ANY time. Please plan to move to an area that says "obscuration 100%", with a Maximum eclipse time.
Communities and areas NOT in the path of totality:
Windsor, Tecumseh, Belle River, Essex, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Holiday Beach, Sprucewood Shores, Woodslee, Stoney Point, Comber.
Communities and areas in the path of totality:
Harrow, Colchester, John R Park, Kingsville, Staples, Leamington, Point Pelee, Pelee Island, Hillman Marsh, Tilbury, Wheatley, Erie Beach, Rondeau Park, and the path of totality then extends up to Hamilton and Niagara Falls.
If you want to experience this "once in a lifetime" event in our area, you MUST be in the path of totality. Please make sure to note that traffic will be an issue on this day, as tens of thousands of people will be visiting Essex County for the eclipse. If your home is within the path of totality, it would be easiest to just view the eclipse from there. Invite your friends and family members before April 8, to avoid traffic issues.
If your children's school is in the path of totality, and if you are able to, please also consider possibly keeping them home from school on this day. Traffic, again, will be an issue to pick them up, and the eclipse will be quite a memorable, likely once in a lifetime experience to share with them!
During the eclipse: There is an app called Solar Eclipse Timer you can download that will tell you, from your phone or tablet's GPS location, when it is safe to take glasses off and when it is important to put them back on! We highly recommend downloading this app to guide you safely through totality!
Solar Eclipse Glasses: Where to buy them, and how to enjoy the eclipse if you don't have any on April 8.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Windsor Chapter has been selling solar eclipse glasses. Check back to this website for information of pop up locations where glasses will be available for sale.
Alternatively please reach out to a local member who has a large supply in Windsor: eclipseglasses@yahoo.com
OR
Visit: www.monarchbutterflyeclipse.com to order glasses right to your home.
Alternatively , you can look on Amazon for glasses. If you are ordering from Amazon, make sure they are ISO-certified (see below image)
If you are unable to get proper solar eclipse glasses for this event, you can still make a pinhole projector. Please see the following short video for help making one, and how to use it safely!
This image shows what you will be able to see in the sky during totality, if you are in in a location where the sun is 100% eclipsed. Jupiter, and Venus, and a few bright stars should be visible from most areas if the skies are clear. The black dot in the above picture is where the moon will be eclipsing the sun. Note that this is facing South. Jupiter will be above the eclipse and to the left, and Venus will be below the eclipse and to the right.
If you want to volunteer, or have any questions, please reach out to we2024eclipse@rascwindsor.com
© 2024 The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Windsor Centre