On April 8, 2024, Canadians will experience a significant astronomical event, the first total solar eclipse to traverse the country in six decades.
Credit: Alison Day/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0 Deed
This natural spectacle will cut a diagonal path across North America, from the southwest to the northeast, offering millions a unique view of the cosmos in the afternoon. In Ontario, observers will be treated to variations of the eclipse, with the Sun completely obscured or appearing as a crescent moon, depending on their location.
Here is a short guide on watching the solar eclipse in GTA:
15 of the Best Places For a Solar Eclipse Getaway in Canada
Contents:
When to See Partial/Total Solar Eclipse in GTA
In the Greater Toronto Area, residents will witness a nearly complete solar eclipse, with the Sun obscured by approximately 99%. This occurrence highlights the phenomenon of solar eclipses, where the moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow that temporarily cloaks the Sun’s light.
Those parts areas of Oakville and Burlington will experience a total solar eclipse for a brief moment. The path of totality, where the eclipse is fully visible, offers a brief period of daytime darkness.
According to timeanddate.com, the partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. with the Moon’s edge touching the Sun, visible through eclipse glasses. By 2:27, about 20% of the Sun is obscured. The eclipse causes noticeable temperature changes and sharper shadows. As it progresses, the sky darkens, affecting light levels, colours, and even wildlife behaviour. The maximum eclipse occurs at 3:19:56, with the Sun at its most obscured. Gradually, natural conditions and animal behaviour revert to normal, with the partial eclipse concluding at 4:31 p.m.
Duration and percentage of the totality of the solar eclipse for different communities across the Greater Toronto Region:
All times are in the afternoon (p.m.)
The maximum eclipse is around 3:20 p.m., with noticeable changes from 3:12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Toronto: Partial Eclipse: 2:04 to 4:31; Maximum Eclipse: 3:19; Magnitude: 99.5%
Durham
Halton
Peel
York
Where to Go to See the Solar Eclipse:
If you are a person only interested in seeing the partial/total eclipse (not interested in eclipse photography with surrounding landscape view etc), you can enjoy the eclipse from your yard/sidewalk if the view along the southwest is unobstructed by trees or other high buildings.
Image created using Dall-E with Sun at 45 deg from horizon.
The sun during the maximum eclipse will be around 45 degrees altitude from the horizon. Depending on your location, 45 degrees is sufficiently high to see the sun from your house.
To verify whether the view of the partial/total eclipse will be the sun obstructed from your location, check the position of the sun the day before (April 7) at around 4 p.m.
If you live in an apartment, you can also visit parking lots of strip malls, parks, open fields, or high points with minimal obstruction to the southwest horizon near your house for hassle-free viewing.
Watch Online:
Total Solar Eclipse in Parts of Port Granby, Oakville and Burlington:
You can visit parts of Port Granby, west Oakville and southern Burlington to see a total solar eclipse.
Observers in these areas will have the extraordinary opportunity to see the daylight sky darken, stars become visible, and the Sun’s corona emerges. The corona, resembling a glowing ring around the moon, produces a spectacular light show akin to the northern lights. This event promises a breathtaking experience for those under the path of totality, encapsulating the awe of witnessing day turning into night in a span of a minute.
Total eclipse in shaded areas/Credit: Xavier M. Jubier/xjubier.free.fr/CC By 4.0
From Your House: If you live in parts of Oakville or Burlington that are under the total solar eclipse (see map here to verify), we suggest you see the eclipse from your house, provided your view is not obstructed by tall apartment buildings.
If you are visiting Oakville, Burlington, you can visit:
*FYI (update April 6): A new map claims that NASA’s calculation is wrong. According to this map, the edge of the total solar eclipse is Holyrood Park in Oakville.
You can always see the solar eclipse from outside your house or deck/balcony/sidewalk if it has a clear view of the southwest horizon.
Check the weather and cloud cover before you travel.
Sun’s direction during the eclipse (Yellow Line); Shadowed Area: Path of Totality. Credit: Suncalc.org
Only events which are not sold out at the time of publishing are listed:
Travelling outside of GTA to See Solar Eclipse:
Parts of Southwestern Ontario, the Niagara Falls Region, Hamilton, and cities/towns along Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River from Port Hope up to the Quebec Border will see a total Solar Eclipse.
The case for travelling: From the most of GTA, the eclipse reaches 99% coverage, appearing nearly full. Yet, the Sun’s vast size and intensity mean that even this small difference between a partial and total eclipse greatly affects what you see and feel. Fortunately, the path of totality is just a 30 to 60-minute drive away, making it possible to take a short journey and experience the total eclipse in neighbouring areas.
If you have not bought tickets for guided viewing (like Tim Hortons Field with free solar eclipse glasses), we suggest you head to Port Hope* (nearest and within an hour’s drive from Scarborough), Cobourg, Quinte West, Napanee, Prince Edward County if you live in Scarborough, North York, Durham Region/cities in eastern York Region.
*Not all of Port Hope will see total solar eclipse. Select places near Lake Ontario to view the eclipse.
Total eclipse in shaded areas.// Credit: National Solar Observatory (NSO)/CC By 4.0
If you use 401 West (travelling towards Toronto, say from Port Hope) or other southwest-facing roads, it is better to travel back home after the partial eclipse ends so that your eyes are protected from the sun’s glare during the eclipse.
West of Toronto
If you are in downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, Peel, or Halton Hills, visit Oakville or Burlington. Otherwise, head to Southwestern Ontario, like Haldimand County, Cayuga (Toronto Motorsports Park), towns along Lake Erie, or St. Thomas, to see the total solar eclipse with comparatively fewer crowds.
Total eclipse in shaded areas. // Credit: National Solar Observatory (NSO)/CC By 4.0
There is no need to choose fancy places (tourist hot spots) to see the eclipse. Any town, village, park, or even a parking lot with a clear view of the southwest sky is good for experiencing the solar eclipse. The advantage of choosing town/village centres is that if the weather plays spoilsport, you can browse local shops or eat.
Use this map to choose a location. When you click on your chosen place, the map will show the duration of the eclipse and other details.
If the location you have chosen is at the edge of the eclipse, move half a kilometre south as a new calculation (map) claims NASA’s coordinates are wrong.
Important: Check weather predictions and plan ahead before you travel. Make sure your vehicle’s gas tank is full, 401 traffic is expected to be a pain!
Solar Eclipse Glasses/Eclipse Safety:
Buy Glasses: If you weren’t able to get free eclipse glasses, experiencetheeclipse.com has glasses available online until April 6th. According to the website, they ship every day by noon.
Observing a solar eclipse without adequate protection poses a significant risk of permanent eye damage. It’s important that you only use eclipse glasses that adhere to the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard. These specialized glasses are designed to filter out harmful solar radiation, protect your eyes from the intense brightness of the Sun, and allow safe viewing of the eclipse’s partial phases. Please visit your nearby library to inquire about complimentary eclipse glasses.
If you are on the path of the total eclipse, you can remove the glasses during the total eclipse duration (a few seconds to a minute, depending on your location) and put them back during the partial eclipse phase. This needs to be carefully timed.
Be cautious with cameras or binoculars, as their lenses can intensify sunlight and cause harm. For those without eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers, constructing a pinhole projector offers a safe means of indirect observation. Remember to supervise children and inspect viewing equipment for any signs of damage before use.