Achi news desk-
Edmontonians looking forward to next month’s much-talked-about astronomical event are being invited to a “safe telescope viewing” by the city’s science centre.
“If the skies are clear on Monday, April 8, Albertans may be able to witness a partial solar eclipse,” TELUS World of Science (TWOS) Edmonton said in a news release issued Wednesday.
TWOS, along with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), said it is giving Edmontonians the opportunity to participate in telescope viewing at the RASC Observatory in Coronation Park. The event is free and runs from 11am to 2pm
TWOS also said it sells safe solar watchers in its Galaxy Gift Shop.
On its website, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), describes a partial solar eclipse as an event that occurs “when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth but the Sun does not, the Moon and Earth lined up perfectly.”
“Only part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a crescent shape. During a total or partial solar eclipse, people outside the area covered by the Moon’s inner shadow see a partial solar eclipse.”
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Frank Florian, TWOS senior manager of the planetarium and space sciences, said special solar filters are needed to view a partial solar eclipse safely.
“It is not safe to view a partial solar eclipse with just your eyes,” he said.
Florian noted that the viewing event is “weather dependent.”
“Dress warmly for the event and let’s hope for clear skies.”
On the day of the event, TWOS is also offering Edmontonians a chance to watch the show Wholeness in his Zeidler Dome, allowing them to learn more about eclipses. That show plays at 10:45 am and 2 pm on “eclipse day.” A general admission ticket is required to see that show.
In Edmonton, the partial eclipse is expected to begin at 11:54am on April 8. At 12:46pm, the event will be in the “mid-eclipse” phase while the partial eclipse is expected to end at 1:39pm
“For Edmonton, the maximum solar area covered by the Moon will be approximately 23 percent at the maximum eclipse at 12:46 pm,” TWOS said. “The next solar eclipse visible from Edmonton and most of Alberta will occur on August 22, 2044.”
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
