Mark Your Calendar – Total Solar Eclipse April 8
Hamilton will be in the path of a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. The last total solar eclipse that was visible in Hamilton took place on January 24, 1925. If you miss this one, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible in Hamilton will happen on October 26, 2144.
On April 8th, the path of totality will move west to east across Mexico, the United States and into Canada. In Hamilton, the eclipse will reach its maximum at 3:18 pm. This is when the moon will completely cover the sun, exposing the sun’s outer atmosphere.
If you are interested in viewing the eclipse there are few things you need to be aware of:
1. Never look at the sun without proper protection. Looking directly at the sun without proper protection can result in permanent damage or even blindness. To view the eclipse, you need to wear certified solar eclipse glasses that satisfy the ISO 12312-2:2015 safety standard.
2. Mohawk College has a limited number of eclipse glasses for employees and students. The glasses were donated by McMaster University. These will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Security Offices at the Fennell, Stoney Creek and Airport campuses, and the Student Services Desk (formerly The Square) at the IAHS campus.
3. Employees and students can pick up the glasses starting April 1, 2024. Additional glasses will be available on April 8, 2024. There is a limit of 2 glasses per person.
4. Eclipse glasses are also available while supplies last at Hamilton, Norfolk and Haldimand Public Library branches, Six Nations Public Library and Brantford Public Library branches.
Mohawk College will be open and classes will run as scheduled on April 8. In anticipation of the eclipse, the college will be taking some precautions in the hours leading up to and immediately following the eclipse, including:
- All campus lighting, interior and exterior, will be on during the eclipse.
- Automated blinds will be closed during the eclipse.
- Extra security will be added to the exterior of the campuses.
Student Life will be leading a viewing party at the Fennell Campus starting at the Student Life office (R203) at 1:30 pm. Glasses will be available for the first 100 participants to view the eclipse outdoors.
McMaster will be leading a viewing party on Monday April 8 from 1 pm – 5 pm for the McMaster community members. Registration can be found at https://planetarium.physics.mcmaster.ca/2024-eclipse/. You must have a McMaster email address to register for this event.
If you live in the Hamilton and Niagara, or the surrounding regions, please note that these communities are expecting high numbers of visitors on April 8. Travel in some areas may be difficult with significant increases in traffic volumes, especially in communities like Niagara Falls. Schools in most of these regions will also be closed on April 8. Please plan accordingly and check ahead for travel and road conditions on Ontario 511.
For more information on the eclipse, visit the W.J. McCallion Planetarium webpage on the McMaster University website.