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Your guide to solar eclipses

Very important! Looking directly at the Sun, without appropriate protection, can lead to serious problems such as partial or complete loss of eyesight.

Artist's rendition of a total solar eclipse

Artist's rendition of a total solar eclipse. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

An eclipse is a wonder to behold. Although eclipses occur more often than you might think, there aren't many opportunities to admire them. There are four to seven solar or lunar eclipses per year, but only those people along the path of an eclipse are able to see it.

What is an eclipse?

An eclipse occurs when the light of a body outside Earth's atmosphere (Sun, Moon, planets, etc.) is temporarily blocked by another body. Eclipses don't just happen on Earth: they also take place on other planets, like Jupiter and Neptune.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth.

This animation partially shows the solar eclipse on , with the Moon hiding the Sun and casting its shadow on Earth. Animation created with WorldWide Telescope. (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, WorldWide Telescope)

From the locations along the Moon's umbra trajectory, it appears as if the Sun has gone dark. Depending on the distance between the Sun and the Moon and their positions, it is possible to see three kinds of solar eclipses:

Artist's rendition of a total solar eclipse

Artist's rendition of a total solar eclipse. (Credit: CSA)

Artist's rendition of an annular solar eclipse

Artist's rendition of an annular solar eclipse. (Credit: CSA)

Artist's rendition of a partial solar eclipse

Artist's rendition of a partial solar eclipse. (Credit: CSA)

When will the next total solar eclipse be visible in Canada?

The next total solar eclipse to be visible in Canada will occur on , when the path of totality will cross Mexico, the United States and eastern Canada.

Partial solar eclipse of

On , a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Eastern Canada.

Annular solar eclipse. (Credit: CSA)

How to safely watch a solar eclipse

During any solar eclipse, it is imperative to wear special glasses with filters designed for eclipse watching (ISO 12312-2 international standard) to prevent eye damage. Regular sunglasses will not protect your eyes sufficiently.

Watching a solar eclipse

Grand Canyon Park visitors observed an annular solar eclipse in May 2012. (Credit: US National Park Service)

During a total solar eclipse, the path of totality is a narrow corridor approximately 100 to 115 km wide where the Sun appears to be completely covered by the Moon for a short period of time (between 2 and 3 minutes). This is the most spectacular part of the eclipse, as those who are lucky enough to be in this corridor are able to see the Sun's corona, the chromosphere, prominences and streamers. Proper eye protection is essential before and after totality.

For those outside the path of totality, the Sun appears to be partially covered by the Moon (partial eclipse). When watching a partial solar eclipse, proper eye protection is required at all times.

If you don't have special glasses designed for eclipse watching, there are other ways to watch an eclipse, such as an eclipse projector, which you can easily learn how to make.

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