Solar eclipse to cast shadow over York Region Aug. 21
First total solar eclipse to include parts of Canada since 1979

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 15, 2017
Ali Raza

It’s expected to be the “most watched celestial event in human history.”

On Aug. 21, North America and much of Central America will witness a solar eclipse. While York Region is north of the path of the total eclipse, residents will see approximately 76 per cent of the sun covered for a short period of time.

During a total solar eclipse, the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, but it’s also 400 times closer.

“This cosmic coincidence is why they both appear in the sky to be the same diameter during the eclipse,” said Thornhill-based astronomer and geophysicist Chris Vaughan.

The shadow cast by the moon races across the “path of totality” — the 100-kilometre wide path where the moon covers 100 per cent of the sun. Viewers north or south of the path only see a partial solar eclipse.

Americans from Oregon to South Carolina will have the opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse, as it’s the first one to cross the continental United States in 99 years.

In anticipation and excitement over the cosmic event, the Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library is one of several locations in the Greater Toronto Area getting ready for the viewing.

The Civic Centre Resource Library hosted an information session on Aug. 12, where Vaughan gave residents of all ages tips and info on viewing the solar eclipse — safely.

“There’s nothing special about the sun that day that makes it dangerous to look at,” Vaughan said, discussing the common belief that you cannot stare directly at the solar eclipse. “The important thing is because you will be looking at the sun during the solar eclipse, you should have eclipse glasses.

While solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months, this particular one will cast a shadow over several population centres.

We think the population centres across the U.S.A. and the ability of people to drive into the path of totality will make it one of the most observed events,” Vaughan said.

The moon’s shadow races across the Earth at a speed of 1,600 km/h. As a result, the eclipse has a small viewing window on Aug. 21. It will first begin to cross the sun at 1 p.m., taking 80 minutes to reach its maximum coverage at 2:32 p.m. and then another 80 minutes to finish passing between the sun and Earth.

The University of Toronto will have viewing equipment at the Canadian National Exhibition. York University will have a viewing party on campus with a solar fair at the Lions Stadium. The Royal Astronomical Society will have a viewing installation setup at the Ontario Science Centre.

“It’s a sight not to be missed,” said faculty of science dean Ray Jayawardhana. “The last time a total eclipse included parts of Canada was the winter of 1979.”

In York Region, the Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library will have a viewing party, while the York Region Astronomy Association will setup at the Richmond Hill Public Library.