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With clear skies in the forecast for Monday’s partial solar eclipse in Calgary, several events across the city will have an unobstructed view of the solar phenomenon.
Almost all of North America will be able to take in the partial solar eclipse; but only a narrow strip of the continent being able to catch a total solar eclipse, where the moon moon lines up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, blotting out the sunlight.
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For Calgary, the partial eclipse will begin at 11:48 a.m., reach it’s maximum of around 40 per cent coverage of the sun at 12:43 p.m., and end at 1:38 p.m.
There are group viewing events in various locations across the city, helping people catch the must-see event.
The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is hosting a pop-up on the University of Calgary main campus from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Green Space #20 (open area next to Taylor Institute and Engineering Buildings) parking is available in Lot 11. Telescopes and viewing glasses will be available, along with remote viewing of the total eclipse.
Telus Spark Science Centre is showing a live video feed of the total eclipse from NASA in its atrium. Visitors will also be able to view the local partial solar eclipse through telescopes and special glasses. Activities at Telus Spark are included with the price of admission.
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People can also sign up for free at Ambrose University, whose pop-up observing event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and go until 1:30 p.m. on Monday
Safely viewing the eclipse requires special glasses which comply with ISO 12312-2 standards. It’s important to purchase from a reputable sellers to avoid counterfeits.
Without eclipse glasses, you can still take in the eclipse indirectly with a pinhole camera, made using household items.
For places that will experience the total solar eclipse, such as Mexico where totality will last almost 4½ minutes, or Niagara Falls, Ont. where totality will be about 3½ minutes, large crowds are expected.
The Niagara region declared a state of emergency last week to deal with the influx of visitors.
More to come…
– With files from Laurice Gomes, Hiren Mansukhani, Mackenzie Rhode, Mary-Ellen Southwick, Monica Zurowski, Ricky Leong, The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
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