Thunder Bay — There are several locations where you can safely watch the eclipse on Monday, which will occur from around 2 to 4 p.m.
While the weather in the city is cloudy, those who are going to try and catch a glimpse of the eclipse must do it safely so as not to damage their eyes.
If you do plan to look at the eclipse, make sure to use eye protection with specialized filters adhering to the ISO 12312-2 international standard to prevent eye damage. The Ontario Provincial Police also offered some safety tips below.
Fort William Historical Park’s David Thompson Astronomical Observatory will be open rain or shine from 1 to 5 p.m., allowing visitors to safely watch the solar eclipse crossing North America.
Event activities include free solar glasses for all visitors (while supplies last), and you can watch the solar eclipse through the observatory’s solar telescopes. There will be a live video feed of the solar eclipse from partner locations around Canada.
You can also learn about Anishinaabe culture and perspectives on the sky. There will be an opportunity to learn about David Thompson and his role in the North West Company and mapping North America.
Discover FWHP’s collection of meteorites and authentic astronomy instruments used by explorers such as David Thompson in the 1700s.
Tour the dome, which houses the 20” Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) telescope, one of the largest publicly available telescopes in Central Canada.
The ticket price is $15 per person (HST included). Children 5 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.fwhp.ca or in person at the event.
“Fort William Historical Park is excited to provide visitors with a safe and educational experience watching the total solar eclipse,” said Patrick Morash, Fort William Historical Park’s General Manager.
For more information about the solar eclipse event at the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, visit www.fwhp.ca or call (807) 473-2344.
The Thunder Bay Public Library locations will also offer eclipse programming for people of all ages.
All library branches will also offer eclipse-themed colouring sheets and word searches in the children’s areas along with Out of This World book displays for children and adults.
Visit any library branch to view a live stream of the eclipse in person, where the TVs will be tuned in. More information is available here.
An eclipse viewing will also be held at Hillcrest Park.
According to EcoSuperior, Thunder Bay will experience a partial solar eclipse with approximately 75 per cent sun coverage.
“At the same time, animals, particularly nocturnal creatures, will also react in a unique way. That’s because their behaviour is regulated by light levels,” the EcoSuperior Facebook post said.
The Ontario Provincial Police is encouraging you to make road and boat safety a top priority when travelling to take part in solar eclipse events.
Drivers travelling to attend solar eclipse events should be prepared for delays in getting to and from their destination and are reminded to exercise caution and patience. Be sure to check local community news/websites for advisories and other information relating to traffic management (i.e. detours, parking, etc.).
Other safety tips for drivers during the solar eclipse include:
- ensure vehicle full headlights are on;
- do not wear eclipse glasses while driving;
- do not photograph or video the eclipse while driving;
- never pull over or stop on the roadway and/or shoulder of the road to view the eclipse;
- exit the roadway and park in a safe area away from traffic to view the eclipse; and,
- be aware of possible increased pedestrian traffic.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
For more on the solar eclipse visit this NASA page.
