Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024
Quick Links
- Date and Timeline of Eclipse
- Path of Total Eclipse
- Weather Notice
- Toronto Area Events
- Nearby Locations within the Path of Totality
- How to Safely View the Solar Eclipse
- Traffic Travel Warning
- Solar Eclipse Activities
- Learn More
Date and Timeline
Eclipses occur about every 18 months somewhere in the world, but it is rare to have a total solar eclipse viewable near the Toronto region. April 8, 2024, will be the next total eclipse to be viewed in North America. The last total eclipse to grace the skies of North America was August 21, 2017, and was viewed as a 70% partial in Toronto.
The timeline of the upcoming eclipse will vary depending on your location. Toronto will be about 7 km outside the path of totality which means that it will be viewed as a 99% partial eclipse, which is still quite impressive. In Toronto, the eclipse will begin at 2:05 PM and reach a maximum coverage (99%) at about 3:20 PM, then end at 4:41 PM. However, if you would like to experience a total eclipse you don’t have to travel very far to be inside the path of totality.
See Nearby Locations within the Path of Totality for more details.
The times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
When is the next one?
Here are some dates for other upcoming partial eclipses visible from Toronto that will have over 50% coverage:
- January 14, 2029 at 51.75% coverage
- November 4, 2040 at 57.3% coverage
- August 12, 2045 at 51.88% coverage
Path of Eclipse
The eclipse’s path of totality will be visible across parts of Eastern Canada. The moon’s shadow will travel south from the US, flying over Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, before passing just south of Montreal. It will then head to Atlantic Canada for some lobster before saying goodbye to Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Time and Date has interactive tools that show the eclipse’s path. Complete with detailed information such as start and end times for different locations, when the eclipse will reach maximum, and more.
Weather Notice
As the solar eclipse relies on being able to see the sun, the eclipse will be blocked by clouds.
Historically, the Toronto region has a record of 60% cloud cover for early April, or 405 of clear skies.
Please do watch the weather forecasts and cloud forecasts the week, days and especially day of the eclipse. Weather forecasts become more accurate as April 8 approaches.
Plan for alternative viewing locations if possible based on the cloud cover on April 8.
Toronto Area Events
Richmond Hill David Dunlop Observatory Solar Viewing Event
The Richmond Hill David Dunlop Observatory will be hosting a variety of events as the eclipse day approaches.
Pre-eclipse programs will be running from now, until eclipse day, learning about different parts of the sun and how to safely view it.
To find out more, check out the programs over at Richmond Hill - Great North American Eclipse – April 8, 2024
Stay tuned for more information!
Ontario Science Centre Pre-Eclipse Events
The Ontario Science Centre will be hosting various events and workshops before the eclipse date about different aspects of solar eclipses and how to view them safely.
Visit the Astronomy Hub to learn about what a solar eclipse is and how they happen!
Checkout the Ontario Science Centre website for more information!
Toronto Metropolitan University - SciXchange - Solar Eclipse Watch Party
Join TMU SciXchange in the Quad to safely view the eclipse and learn more about this stellar phenomenon! Eclipse glasses will be available for free to those who register for the event.
Find out more at their website!
Nearby Locations within the Path of Totality
Even though Toronto will only be viewed as 99% partial, there are events within the path of totality that are a train ride or a few hours drive away.
Hamilton RASC
Hamilton RASC will be hosting an eclipse viewing event at CF Lime Ridge Mall of the day of the eclipse.
For more information and how to register, please see their flyer here!
For other information about the eclipse in the Hamilton area, please checkout their solar eclipse page below.
Hamilton RASC Solar Eclipse 2024
Tourism Hamilton has also listed many places to view the solar eclipse that can be found here.
Kingston RASC
If you are looking to head east, the Kingston RASC has web pages full of information about viewing around Kingston. They include what you can expect, tools to assist with viewing, and even diagrams on where to look.
Kingston RASC Solar Eclipse 2024
Niagara Falls Region
Niagara Parks will be hosting a variety of solar eclipse related events. Check out their website for more information.
The City of Niagara Falls will be planning designated viewing areas at specific parks throughout the City. Please stay tuned on their website for more information.
The Niagara Region Police has closed of multiple roads around the Falls. Please adjust your trips accordingly.
The Niagara RASC Centre is not hosting an event for the total eclipse of the Sun. There will be dozens or probably hundreds of events and parties scattered across the Region.
Please contact them if you have questions about planning a safe and enjoyable event in the area.
Fort Erie
Of course, if you want to be as possible to the center of the action, you can’t beat a viewing from Fort Erie. The town will be less than 10 km away from the center line, providing viewers there with the longest duration of totality, almost 4 minutes!
The town of Fort Erie has designed many sites where the public can safely see the eclipse, check out their website for more information on locations and things to keep in mind, including planning ahead if you are planning to visit.
Town of Fort Erie - Solar Eclipse
Port Colborne
Another town right by the shores of Lake Erie is Port Colborne. Many designated viewing locations are being set up where attendees can safely view the eclipse. Plenty of additional events are also being scheduled, from Planetarium Shows to solar and telescope tours.
Solar Eclipse at Port Colborne
RASC National
For locations outside of the GTA and Southern Ontario, please take a look at the RASC national’s list of Eclipse events across the country.
RASC National 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
How to Safely View the Solar Eclipse
NEVER EVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITHOUT PROPER EQUIPMENT! You can risk permanent eye damage. Instead, try using one of these options below.
Solar Eclipse Glasses
One of the best ways to view the solar eclipse directly is with dedicated solar eclipse glasses. These glasses have a special film on them to reduce the intensity of Sun, allowing you to safely view the sun. Solar eclipse glasses that are verified to the ISO 12312-2 standard are safe to use and the standard is usually printed on the glasses.
If the film is damaged (puncture holes, tears, etc.), DO NOT USE the glasses as they may not be able to safely protect your eyes.
If you are looking to purchase some eclipse glasses, below are some retailers that you can check out:
- A local toy or hobby shop, like Toytown on Avenue Road
- RASC National e-store
- Ontario Science Center (After Admission)
- Check out Discover the Universe's Updated Google Doc
- Monarch Butterfly Eclipse
- Ontario Telescope
- Telescope Canada
- Canada Eclipse Glasses
- All-Star Telescope
- Hologramz
- Distributors on the American Astronomical Society List
Please note that asides from RASC National, RASC Toronto is not affiliated or officially endorse any of the retailers listed above.
As eclipse glasses are generally made for adults, they may not fit younger children as well, which increases the chances of eye damage due to potential slippage. One method to reduce this chance is to create a paper plate mask to make it harder to look outside the lenses on the eclipse glasses.
Eclipse Glasses paper plate mask
Cereal Box Solar Projector
A cheaper alternative to safely view the sun is a solar projector. You can make one with a cereal box, some heavy foil and tape. This will allow you to view the progression of the eclipse through sun projection in the box.
NASA- Make a Cereal Box Solar Projector
A Colander (Or anything with holes)
Similar idea as the Cereal box solar project, holding up an object with holes on it (like a colander) in the sun will project the sun's shape on the ground.
Weather Network - How to safety view the solar eclipse
The circular holes of a colander project crescent shapes onto the ground during the partial phases of a solar eclipse. Credit: Joy Ng
Traffic Travel Warning
One important note if you are planning to travel anywhere around the GTA to view the solar eclipse, especially if you are heading south to the Niagara region, is to beware of the potential traffic as a lot of other eager eclipse viewers will also have similar plans in mind.
The QEW is the single major artery connecting Toronto and the Niagara region, so please account for potential of major travel delays.
Metrolinx has added addition GO Train service between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Check out the GO Transit website for more information.
The Niagara Region Police has closed of multiple roads around the Falls. Please adjust your trips accordingly.
Solar Eclipse Activities
With the solar eclipse coming up, here are a few things you can do in preparation and during the solar eclipse itself!
Sky and Telescope - Activities for Kids before and during the solar eclipse
NASA Citizen Science - Eclipse Soundscapes Project
Do you want to help contribute to research during the eclipse? Everyone is welcomed to help!
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project is a NASA Citizen Science project funded by NASA Science Activation that is studying how eclipses affect life on Earth during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. Eclipse Soundscapes will revisit an eclipse study from almost 100 years ago that showed that animals and insects are affected by solar eclipses! Like this study from 100 years ago, ES will ask for the public’s help. ES will also use modern technology to continue to study how solar eclipses affect life on Earth!
Learn more here! Eclipse Soundscapes Project
Learn More about the solar eclipse
Below are some more resources about the upcoming eclipse!
Total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 | Canadian Space Agency (asc-csa.gc.ca)