The eclipse of the century. What you need to know about the April 8 eclipse (II)

this is a follow up of a prevoius post

Another factor that explains why total solar eclipses are so rare is the tilt of the natural satellite's orbit. “The orbital plane of the Moon is inclined, relative to the orbital plane of the Earth, by approximately five degrees,” says the astrophysicist. We can therefore see the Moon passing between the Earth and the Sun without it being perfectly aligned with the Sun. »

A total solar eclipse occurs approximately every 18 months on Earth. In Quebec, the last one dates back to 1972. To find out when the next eclipses visible from Canada will take place in the next millennium, select a city below!

What will happen on April 8?

So what can we expect on April 8? Let's dissect each of the stages of this total solar eclipse.

2:14 p.m. – The partial eclipse begins, a little over an hour before the start of the totality phase. During this time, the Moon gradually covers the Sun. This quietly takes the shape of a crescent in the sky. “At the beginning, we see almost nothing, unless we look with the appropriate glasses, thanks to which we will notice that a small piece of the Sun is slightly hidden,” underlines Mr. Lamontagne.

2:43 p.m. – As the Sun is covered by the Moon (“at least 70%”), the Sun’s crescent becomes more and more evident. We can also notice this shape without having to stare at the Sun: just look at the ground! The shadows of the trees and their many branches will be dotted with luminous crescents. “We will start to notice that the light becomes a little weaker, a bit like at the end of the day,” adds Robert Lamontagne.

3:10 p.m. – About fifteen minutes before the start of the totality phase, we begin to notice a change in the air. The sky slowly darkens, and the colors take on darker, grayish tones. The climate is also starting to be affected. Then, as darkness sets in and light becomes scarce, we begin to observe a change in behavior in the animals.

3:24 p.m. – Totality is imminent. The Sun is almost entirely hidden by the Moon, and the solar corona begins to appear. We can see bands of shadow, characterized by movements of light and darkness on flat surfaces. “But as long as there is a small part of the Sun that is not hidden, we are still in the daytime. The sky is not black, we do not see stars or planets in the sky,” explains the astrophysicist.

By observing the Sun with appropriate glasses just before the start of totality, we will also see small points of light around the Moon, the Baily grains, caused by the light of the Sun shining through the mountainous terrain of our satellite natural. When only one of these grains remains visible, just before the Sun disappears, it gives the illusion of a diamond ring in the sky.

4:36 p.m. – The partial eclipse ends. For those who missed the event in Montreal, the date for the next total solar eclipse will be in 2205!

“There is an almost spiritual aspect to seeing this,” describes Robert Lamontagne, who has already witnessed total solar eclipses outside Quebec. “It’s an impressive phenomenon to see night coming in broad daylight. There are very, very few humans who have seen this. [...] For the vast majority of people, it will only happen once in their life, or so. »

(to be continued)