FILE PHOTO: A partial solar eclipse.
Image Credit: pixabay.com
April 07, 2024 - 6:00 AM
Skywatchers in Kamloops and the Okanagan can look forward to a partial solar eclipse on Monday.
Solar eclipses happen when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, partially or completely blocking the sun’s light.
The celestial event on Monday, April 8 will be viewed as a rare total solar eclipse in parts of eastern Canada, the United States and Mexico, while viewers in western Canada will see a partial eclipse.
READ MORE: Celestial event: What you need to know about the total solar eclipse on April 8
“Not very much of the sun is going to be covered in British Columbia, I’m guessing between 10 and 20 percent,” president of the Victoria branch of the Royal Astronomical Society Chris Gainor said.
“Partial eclipses happen fairly frequently and most people don’t notice them. If you’re just going about your business, you won’t notice anything, but if you’re paying attention you’ll see a crescent shape.”
To see the partial eclipse, viewers have to watch at the exact right time with the help of eclipse glasses to block out all other light.
READ MORE: Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
While watching an eclipse, viewers should wear specially-designed solar eclipse glasses protect the eyes from the harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays from the sun that can cause retina damage.
Solar filters should be used on telescopes and binoculars.
The celestial event will take almost two hours to complete. Viewers can watch the dark shape of the moon start its slow passage across part of the sun at 10:35 a.m., reach maximum coverage at 11:31 a.m. and end at 12:29 p.m.
If you get photos of the partial eclipse and want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca.
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