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Children observe a solar eclipse with glasses designed for the occasion.
< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">You should keep in mind that you should never look directly at the Sun. Exposure to this intense light can cause eye damage without causing pain. But unlike observers of a partial eclipse, those who witness a total eclipse can remove their glasses during total darkness and put them back on as soon as the Moon leaves the solar disk.
No pair of sunglasses sold in stores allows you to look directly at the Sun. In addition, with the naked eye or with an optical instrument such as a telescope, it is essential to use filters designed specifically to observe the Sun. You should also avoid taking photos or filming with a cell phone.
You must wear glasses throughout the partial phase of the eclipse, but you can remove them during the time of the total eclipse around 3:30 p.m.
A quote from Olivier Hernandez, Montreal Planetarium
You must obviously ensure that you supervise the children at all times during the observation.
The Montreal Planetarium distributes 500,000 glasses thanks to the generosity of the Trottier Family Foundation.
No less than 300,000 glasses were donated to schools and libraries in the Montreal region in the days before the eclipse. We want people to collect their glasses as late as possible so as not to damage them, says Olivier Hernandez, who reminds us that you should always inspect your glasses before using them to ensure that they are not damaged.
We keep between 100,000 and 150,000 glasses to distribute them at the Jean-Drapeau Park metro exit during an event organized on April 8 by the Planetarium, adds Mr. Hernandez.
If you don't have glasses at your disposal, it is also possible to project the image of the Sun on a screen. This method is certainly the safest and least expensive.
At Jean-Drapeau Park, those present will be able to follow the explanations and instructions of two facilitators from giant screens installed on the premises. There will even be a countdown leading to totality, says Olivier Hernandez.
Radio-Canada broadcasts a special broadcast live from the park between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. h.
In addition to this event, the Montreal Science Center, the ASTROLab of Mont-Mégantic National Park and many other organizations, including McGill and Montreal universities, hold observation activities. Find out before you travel since some events are already sold out.
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The Moon completely covers the Sun during the total eclipse of August 21, 2017 in the United States.
During totality, it is possible to see the solar corona which is very white and very spread out several times the diameter of the Sun. It's absolutely spectacular because it's something you never see!, enthuses Olivier Hernandez, who has witnessed three eclipses, but never a total one.
It is also possible to see the chromosphere, which takes the form of a kind of absolutely spectacular pink filament which stands out even better with the naked eye than with the photos.
The chromosphere is in fact a thin layer of pink-colored gas due to the light emission of ionized hydrogen at the Hα wavelength.
Once in totality, we will begin to see the brightest planets appear like Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and even Mercury!, notes the astrophysicist. We will also be able to see a comet passing through the sky at that time if its brightness allows it, he adds.
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Planets and stars visible in the sky during the solar eclipse.
Several of the brightest stars, such as Rigel, Capella, Pollux, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse and Sirius, will also be visible.
It is possible to see all these stars that we don't usually see at night and which are invisible in the sky during the day. We will be able to see them because the Sun will be completely obscured.
A quote from Olivier Hernandez, Montreal Planetarium
Another natural phenomenon is also noticed during a total eclipse: a drop in temperature.
It can be fun to bring your own thermometer to see for yourself a fall temperature between 8 and 10°C. Which is huge for April 8, since we will probably be around an average temperature of around 5°C. We'll probably drop below 0°C, that'll make a big difference.
A quote from Olivier Hernandez, Montreal Planetarium
Nature will also react to the phenomenon. We will also witness different behaviors in certain animals, mainly birds. The variation in brightness will make them sing a little more than usual, mentions Mr. Hernandez, who also notes that since spring will only be in its infancy, the drop in brightness will not influence the behavior of plants and flowers which usually close when there is a loss of light.
If the sky is overcast and the Sun is not directly visible at the time of totality, the most spectacular visual effects will not be observable. The period of darkness, however, will be even darker.
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There are between two and five solar eclipses visible somewhere on Earth each year. Total solar eclipses occur on average every 375 years for a specific location on the globe.
The last total eclipse visible in Canada was produced on February 26, 1979. Residents of southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, northwestern Ontario and the far north of Quebec were then able to observe the phenomenon.
In southern Quebec, the last total solar eclipse was observed in Gaspésie on July 10, 1972. The last total eclipse visible in Montreal took place on August 31, 1932.
The last total eclipse visible in North America in the 21st century was visible in the skies of several US states on August 21, 2017.
The next partial solar eclipse will occur on March 29, 2025 and will be visible in Eastern Canada.
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