On Monday, April 8th Canadians will get a glimpse of the first total solar eclipse of the sun visible from Canada in 45 years. The next one won’t occur until August 23, 2044.
These rare events happen when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking out the sun. A total eclipse occurs when the disk of the sun is fully obscured by the moon, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world.
Viewing these rare cosmic events is exciting! However, viewers must take precautions. Looking directly at the sun, even briefly, can lead to permanent eye damage. Special eye protection or indirect viewing techniques must be used.
For more information about how to safely view the eclipse visit the websites of Lambton Public Health or the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.