Where in Canada can you watch the solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower?
The movie theatre isn’t the only place putting on a good double feature. A solar eclipse is taking a bite out of the sun today before a dazzling meteor shower takes over after dark, and you might be able to catch a glimpse of both in Canada.
The first show happens during the day on Aug. 12, when the sun, moon and Earth line up to create a solar eclipse.
According to NASA, a total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and completely blocks the sun’s bright face, causing daylight to turn into darkness.
NASA says the solar eclipse will be total across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and a small corner of Portugal. Canada, unfortunately, will see only a partial eclipse but, hey, we’ll take what we can get.
The eclipse will be visible across much of Canada, with the timing and amount of the sun covered changing depending on where you are. British Columbia won’t see much of anything, while Alberta will see a wee eclipse in the morning and eastern Canada will catch a bigger glimpse in the afternoon.
Where in Canada to watch the solar eclipse
Edmonton
Eclipse begins: 10:02 a.m.
Maximum coverage: Six per cent at 10:38 a.m.
Winnipeg
Eclipse begins: 11:25 a.m.
Maximum coverage: Five per cent at 12:02 p.m.
Toronto
Eclipse begins: 12:55 p.m.
Maximum coverage: Eight per cent at 1:40 p.m.
Montreal
Eclipse begins: 12:50 p.m.
Maximum coverage: 18 per cent at 1:45 p.m.
Halifax
Eclipse begins: 1:58 p.m.
Maximum coverage: 31 per cent at 3 p.m.
St. John’s
Eclipse begins: 2:28 p.m.
Maximum coverage: 53 per cent at 3:35 p.m.
The space agency recommends eclipse glasses or a safe solar viewer for watching the partial eclipse directly, but you can also make a last-minute simple pinhole projector at home, according to instructions online.
Enjoy it while you can, though. Meteorologist Scott Sutherland says this will be the last solar eclipse visible from Canada until 2028, and the country won’t get another total solar eclipse until 2044.
Where in Canada to watch the Perseid meteor shower
Unlike the solar eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower will be visible across much of Canada on the night of Aug. 12.
Billed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as “the best meteor shower of the year,” the Perseids are expected to reach their peak Wednesday night, with the best viewing expected at nighttime.
The annual meteor shower is caused by debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a comet that travels around the Sun. NASA says that as Earth passes through the trail of dust and tiny bits of rock left behind by the comet, those particles slam into the atmosphere and burn up, creating a bunch of shooting stars.
At the height of the Perseids, Canadians can spot 50 to 80 meteors per hour with the naked eye, especially after midnight.
According to CSA, the best places to watch the Perseids are away from the glow of cities and streetlights. Think Provincial parks, campgrounds and remote cottages. Jasper National Park in Alberta, recognized as one of the world’s largest dark-sky preserves, is always a good option for folks in Alberta.
The most important thing, experts say, is to find somewhere with clear skies, minimal artificial light and a wide-open view of the sky. Unfortunately, many folks in B.C. won’t be able to view much given the devastating wildfires that have been rampant since Aug. 7.