The province last saw a total eclipse in Northern Ontario on February 26, 1979. A total solar eclipse is predicted to cross North America in the spring of 2024, offering excellent viewing opportunities in various southern Ontario areas, most notably Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls is not expected to witness a total solar eclipse again until 2144.
In this blog, we will be covering:
| 1. Solar Eclipse Tours |
| 2. What is solar eclipse? |
| 3. Where it is happening? |
| 4. When is the solar eclipse? |
| 5. How to watch the eclipse? |
| 6. Programs at Prime Viewing Areas |
1. Solar Eclipse Tours
ToNiagara brings to us currently 4 different tours to witness this once in a lifetime celestial experience.
1. Niagara Falls Total Solar Eclipse Day Tour From Toronto (April 8, 2024)
2. Niagara Falls Total Solar Eclipse Private Day Tour From Toronto (1-4 People, April 8, 2024)
3. Niagara Falls Total Solar Eclipse Private Day Tour From Toronto (1-6 People, April 8, 2024)
4. 1000 Islands Total Solar Eclipse Private Day Tour With Islands Cruise (1-6 People, April 8, 2024)
Do feel free to click and book any of these 4 tours above that are curated specifically for this event. Hopefully you won’t miss out.
2. What is solar eclipse?
When the moon crosses in front of the sun and the earth, a solar eclipse happens. The moon blocks out part or all of the sun’s disk, causing a brief period of darkness during the day.
Different belief systems have interpreted eclipses in different ways throughout history. It has been interpreted as an omen, a solar and lunar battle, and a disturbance of the natural order.
It has also been seen as a kind of courting and friendship. This uncommon cosmic phenomenon has gained attention in more recent years and is now a source of amazement.
3. Where it is happening?
A full solar eclipse, a celestial phenomenon not seen from Ontario since the 1970s and not expected to be seen in Niagara Falls again until 2144, is exactly in the path of totality for Niagara Falls (Ontario and New York), as well as Fort Erie and Buffalo, New York.
This indicates that the location will be an excellent viewing position since it will have the longest duration of total darkness due to the moon’s total eclipse of the sun.
4. When is the solar eclipse?
It is anticipated that the solar eclipse will begin at 2:04 PM and persist for around 2.5 hours. It is estimated that the sun will completely eclipse between 3:20 and 3:23 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time).
5. How to watch the eclipse?
You must always use safe hand-held solar viewers or safe solar viewing glasses (often known as “eclipse glasses”) when directly observing a partial or annular solar eclipse with your eyes.
Eclipse glasses are not the same as ordinary sunglasses; conventional sunglasses are not advisable for seeing the sun, regardless of how dark they are.
The retinas of our eyes can be burned by the sun, causing irreversible damage or even blindness. Even a brief exposure of your eyes to direct sunshine can result in this.
On Monday, April 8, Niagara Parks will provide free viewing glasses and filters to visitors at its programming locations (while supplies last).
6. Programs at Prime Viewing Areas:
Starting at roughly 3:18 p.m. on April 8, the sky will darken above the thunderous cataract for nearly three and a half minutes as the moon moves between Earth and the sun.
Prime viewing points are from: Niagara River Parkway, Table Rock Centre, Skylon Tower and Niagara SkyWheel.
1. Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel: FRIDAY – MONDAY (APRIL 5 – 8)
Astronomy in Action will have a mobile planetarium at the Niagara Parks Power Station, along with educators to promote solar system education and the relevance of the solar eclipse.
In addition, a variety of interactive discussions and Q&A sessions with NASA and CSA scientists* will take place at Niagara Parks’ newest attraction. Additionally, a guest speaker who examines the solar eclipse and other astronomical topics from an Indigenous viewpoint will be present.
Note: Due to space limitations, online registration is needed. To be informed when registration for each session opens, please Signup below.
2. Table Rock Center: SATURDAY – MONDAY (APRIL 6 – 8)
During the weekend of April 6–8, Table Rock Centre, one of the best places to see the eclipse, will serve as a one-stop shop for families. In addition to providing free Mad Science programming for kids, it gives visitors access to Journey Behind the Falls, the main attraction of Niagara Parks, as well as excellent dining options and shopping.
From Saturday through Monday, Mad Science will have their FunStations and Exploration Stations at Table Rock Centre, encouraging children of all ages to participate in entertaining and engaging seminars and activities.
3. Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory: SATURDAY – MONDAY (APRIL 6 – 8)
Another important location along the Niagara Parkway that will be offering special programs and activities for visitors over the weekend is the Butterfly Conservatory, which is located further north.
In order to provide the Butterfly Conservatory with experiential learning opportunities connected to STEM education, Niagara Parks and Toronto Metropolitan University are collaborating to offer their highly acclaimed SciXchange program.
In order to educate visitors on the significance of the solar eclipse, an astronomer from Toronto Metropolitan University will be present at the attraction on Monday, April 8.
4. Old Fort Erie: FRIDAY – MONDAY (APRIL 5 – 8)
On the day of the eclipse, visitors can visit Niagara Parks’ Old Fort Erie in the south, which will also serve as a venue for interesting discussions and question-and-answer sessions with CSA and NASA experts.
Due to space limitations, online registration is needed. To be informed when registration for each session opens, please Signup below.
Note: Click here to Signup and receive updates about Niagara Parks’ programs and plans for the solar eclipse.
Thanks for reading this blog. Check out more blogs like this one here: www.toniagara.com/blog
