Canada Total Eclipse Watchers: What You Need to Know

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On April 8, 2024, the entirety of Canada will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, while specific regions in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada will be privileged to witness totality.

The path of totality stretches from northwest Mexico through the United States, reaching southeastern Canada. It spans approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers) in width, offering a rare opportunity to witness daytime darkness and catch a glimpse of the sun's corona for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds with the naked eye. This path, known as the moon's umbra, creates the illusion of the moon completely obstructing the sun's disk.

Olivier Hernandez, the director of the Rio Tinto Alcan Planétarium in Montreal, emphasized the significance of this event, noting that while totality will be confined to the southern regions of Canada, everyone across the country will witness a partial eclipse—a phenomenon not seen for over three decades.

As the path of totality traverses northeastern Mexico and 15 U.S. states, it will eventually follow the Canada-U.S. border, passing over Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, where portions of Ontario and Quebec will experience totality.

However, the two largest cities in Canada, Montreal and Toronto, will have distinct experiences. Montreal, with its population of 1.6 million, will find itself split by the path's northern limit, while Toronto, with a population of 2.6 million, will narrowly miss out on totality. Ottawa also lies outside the path, necessitating travel for many Canadians to experience totality. Besides Montreal, cities like Kingston, Niagara Falls, and Hamilton in Ontario fall within the path.

For Torontonians eager to witness the event, options include traveling along the 401 east towards Lake Ontario into the path of totality or taking the 403 to Hamilton and beyond. According to Victoria Kramkowski, co-chair of the Eclipse Task Force at the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), residents might opt for the Go regional transit system and catch a train to Burlington, which lies within the path.

While Burlington will experience around 1 minute and 30 seconds of totality, Niagara Falls will enjoy well over 3 minutes. The area between Hamilton and Niagara is expected to be bustling with activity.

Though international eclipse enthusiasts may not flock to Canada solely due to weather predictions, Canadians remain optimistic, citing a roughly 50% chance of clear skies.

The timing of the total solar eclipse across Canada indicates that the moon's shadow will traverse the country in approximately 34 minutes, with totality occurring between 3:12 p.m. EDT and 5:16 p.m. NDT. The width of the path will be 112 miles (181 km) upon entering Ontario and 100 miles (162 km) as it departs for the Atlantic Ocean at Newfoundland. Along the centerline through Canada, totality will range between 3 minutes and 31 seconds to 2 minutes and 53 seconds.

Designated spots to witness the eclipse include Point Pelee National Park and Long Point Provincial Park in Ontario, Hamilton, the Niagara Region, Kingston in Ontario, Montreal, and Parc National du Mont-Orford in Quebec.

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