A partial solar eclipse will sweep across northern and western Canada on Wednesday morning, with the strongest view expected in Newfoundland and Labrador. The same night the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak, offering a dual celestial display for Canadians willing to venture into dark skies.
Partial solar eclipse
The moon will pass between the Sun and Earth without a perfect alignment, leaving a thin crescent of sunlight visible. Canadian Space Agency manager Pierre Langlois said the eclipse will be most noticeable in Newfoundland and Labrador, even though the province will not see a total eclipse. "They're still not getting the full eclipse, but they're getting the most out of all of us," he told reporters.
Local times for the maximum obscuration are:
- Prince George, British Columbia, 8:54 a.m.
- Edmonton, 10:02 a.m.
- Toronto, 12:55 p.m.
- St. John's, Newfoundland, 2:28 p.m.
Viewing the Sun safely requires certified eclipse glasses. The NASA website notes that without protection the Sun will appear almost unchanged, with only about five per cent of its disc covered. For those without glasses, the CSA suggests a simple pinhole projector made from a cardboard box, aluminium foil and white paper.
The next total solar eclipse over Canada is not scheduled until 22 August 2044, according to the CSA.
Perseid meteor shower
From the evening of Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday the sky will be traversed by debris from Comet Swift‑Tuttle. As the Earth moves through this stream, particles enter the atmosphere at roughly 59 kilometres per second, burning up between 80 and 90 kilometres altitude and leaving bright streaks known as meteors.
Langlois recommends finding a location away from city lights and allowing the eyes at least thirty minutes to adapt to darkness. A red‑filtered flashlight can be used for safety without compromising night vision. "Give your eyes time to adjust and avoid looking at a bright phone screen," he said.
The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so lying on your back and scanning overhead maximises the view. Photographers may wish to use a camera with a long lens, though no special eye protection is required.
These two events provide a reminder of the natural phenomena that share the same orbital environment that Canada monitors for satellite safety and space‑situational awareness, a core responsibility of the Canadian Space Agency and its partners.
Based on reporting by Global News.