Solar eclipse viewing parties being held around Calgary on August 21
Think you’ve experienced a solar eclipse before? Well you haven’t seen nothing yet.
Last time we saw a solar eclipse it was a partial one in October 2014 and now we have a chance to see an even better one.
The shining sun will literally be blotted out from the sky on Monday, August 21—though only for a few minutes—when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun.
See also
- U of T put together the ultimate solar eclipse watching guide for Canada
- An incredibly rare total solar eclipse is taking place this summer
This total solar eclipse won’t necessarily be as “total” in Calgary as it will be in Lincoln Beach, Oregon (and other areas along the eclipse’s eastward route), but we will still get 81% totality at 11:33 am.
A map showing the path of the total solar eclipse as it passes across the US. (Nasa.gov)
Of course, that’s only if there isn’t a cloud or smoky haze already obscuring our skies. Fingers crossed that’s not the case.
The 81% totality will only last for two minutes and 40 seconds, before and after that, it’s only a partial eclipse of varying coverage. Victoria is the top spot in Canada to watch the eclipse with a 91% totality.
The partial eclipse will become visible for Calgary at 10:20 am, reach its maximum totality at 11:33 am, and be gone at 12:50 pm.
The number one rule for staring directly at the sun is: please don’t. Even with the moon playing bodyguard for a few minutes, it is still a huge ball of fiery space lava, and our human eyes are so very minuscule and weak in comparison.
There are special glasses that can be worn for watching these events, and places around Calgary that are offering them to anyone who want’s to get a glimpse of the once in a lifetime event—without it being the last thing they ever see.
Here are some places in and around Calgary that will be hosting special viewing events for the celestial phenomenon:
University of Calgary – Engineering Complex (Area 20)
Where: University of Calgary, Area 20, ENA 101
When: 10 am to 12:30 pm *drop-in between these times
Observe the amazing partial eclipse with the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory’s pop-up observatory on the University of Calgary campus near the Taylor Institute. Solar telescopes, and a limited amount of eclipse glasses, will be available to safely view the eclipse.
University of Calgary – Remote viewing
Where: University of Calgary – Engineering Building A, Room 101
When: 10 am to 12:30 pm *drop-in between these times
You can also see the event via remote viewing as the total eclipse unfolds across the Continental United States via the internet.
TELUS Spark
Where: 220 St Georges Drive NE
When: 10am to 5pm
TELUS Spark is throwing an eclipse viewing party on August 21. There will be Solar Telescopes to view the eclipse in progress(weather permitting), a NASA 2017 Eclipse Mega Steam, a Family BBQ and an immersive 40 minute Dome Theatre experience.
See also
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