Monday April 8, 2024 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated 11:08 am]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The solar eclipse will be seen as a partial eclipse here on Vancouver Island today.
Eclipse totality will be seen best in Eastern Canada, notably Niagara Falls as well as Hamilton, Montreal and New Brunswick. Crowds are gathering in those locations for the social experience; some have travelled a long way to be there.
TV news coverage and a NASA feed of the eclipse offer safe ways for viewing.
The first location to experience the totality is Mazatlan, Mexico.
Eye safety:
Special dark glasses are required for looking directly at the eclipse in the sky. The glasses should be worn the entire time, except (if desired) they can be taken off during the approximately three minutes of totality.
Students in school:
For students in the Sooke School District SD62 (schools in Langford, Colwood and Sooke), eclipse-watching safety messaging was sent out to all families on Friday.
“Teachers may have crafted learning plans specifically designed around the eclipse, aimed at enriching the educational experience while prioritizing safety,” says SD62 communications spokesperson Kristen McGillivray.
Students will also be able to watch the live NASA feed for an opportunity to watch the phenomenon safely. That’s a good reason to have mobile phones in the classroom.
Reverence and awe:
For many people there can also be a ‘cosmic’ experience of reverence for the grand scheme of things that is the universe itself.
It can be experienced as a visceral primal level.
From an astrological perspective the moon (emotion and reflective experience) takes charge and covers the sun (direction and drive) which symbolizes taking charge of a new direction in human experience.
Time:
Here on South Vancouver Island the beginning of the shadow starts at 10:43 am PDT, with the maximum partial eclipse at 11:30 am. The entire experience ends at 12:20 pm.
The full event here will be 1 hour 37 minutes long.
Wind, temperature and animal behaviour:
Especially in the path of totality, the air temperature will drop and there can be wind.
Zoos across North America are watching for changes in animal behaviour. Animals may be expected to respond as if night has arrived, yet within just a few minutes ‘day’ will return again.
Colours of the landscape may look different.
