Stay safe while you watch!
The last total solar eclipse experienced in Alberta was in 1979. This month’s solar eclipse will be near total for the eastern provinces, but even here in Alberta, the eclipse will be discernable with 20% of the sun covered by the moon.
Watching a solar eclipse with the naked eye is dangeous! You risk losing your sight, for staring at the sun for even a few minutes without protective equipment can cause retinal burns (solar retinopathy).
Take a few simple precautions and you can watch this celestial event safely.
Gear, Gadgets and Places to Go
Solar Viewing Glasses: If you can acquire them, look for certified solar viewing glasses with an ISO 12312-2 certification. However, these glasses are difficult to find, as many of the stores that stocked them have sold out. All Star Telescopes have some stocked.
Pinhole Projector: You can create a pinhole projector using common materials like cardboard. This indirect method lets you project the eclipse onto a surface for viewing. [Video: Projector Project]
Telescopes and Binoculars: If you plan to watch the eclipse with binoculars or telescopes, make sure they are fitted with solar filters. McBain Camera sells telescopes, binoculars and the solar filters at all its Edmonton area locations, and online.
Telus World of Science is holding a solar eclipse viewing event, starting at 11 a.m. on Monday. If you can’t source the vital safety gear or filters, and don’t want to view the eclipse via a pinhole projector, you can watch the complete event at their facilities. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada members will be setting up telescopes with the proper filters for safe viewing by members of the public.
View online: Finally, there will be multiple live streaming events online, where you can watch the eclipse safely at home. You can watch live streams of the total eclipse, or a live stream of the view from Edmonton…or both!
NASA will be streaming the full eclipse, while the University of Toronto’s Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics will be hosting live streaming events covering all of Canada. You will need to register for this viewing ahead of time.
Enjoy this partial eclipse!
The next eclipse event to impact Alberta will be in 2026, and Edmonton will be even more on the fringes of visibility. However, a total solar eclipse that will pass directly over Edmonton in August 2044!
In other words, this will be the last solar eclipse worth viewing for years. Don’t miss out!
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Looking for something a little more grounded to do? Check our Events listings to see what’s coming up soon here in Edmonton!
