A full solar eclipse is coming to North America on August 21, but unfortunately it will only be partially visible in Southwestern Ontario.
"Every 18 months the Earth will see some sort of solar eclipse when the moon covers the sun, or sometimes only part of the sun, on different parts of the world -- but now we're actually getting this one over North America," explains backyard astronomer Gary Boyle, who is the past president of the Ottawa Centre for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Boyle says only 14 states from Oregon to Southern Carolina will see the full eclipse.
"Unfortunately, here in Canada we'll get a partial. It's I think 80% coverage, which is good," says Boyle.
Canada eclipse map. (Photo courtesy of Gary Boyle).
He warns residents to never look at the solar eclipse without proper protection.
"We have dangers of looking at the solar eclipse. You're looking the sun. We don't look at the sun during the day, it's extremely dangerous. Eye problems could occur, even blindness," explains Boyle.
Boyle says if you are interested in viewing the eclipse, you can purchase special glasses from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada or use Baader solar filter for telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses. He also suggests building a simple pinhole camera or buying #14 welders glass. If those resources aren't accessible, you can also watch it on the many stream sites available.
Boyle also emphasizes that regular sunglasses are not a form of protection from the eclipse.
According to Boyle, the partial eclipse will start locally at 1:05pm and finishes at 3:48pm on August 21.
