How to experience the eclipse in Calgary
Feeling left out of the total solar eclipse excitement in Western Canada? The Weather Network's Connor O'Donovan shares some family events happening in Calgary on April 8, 2024.
Are you feeling left out of all the eclipse action because you reside far from the path of totality?
While it’s true that only a select stretch of Canadian territory will be treated to full eclipse coverage, areas as far west as Alberta will still witness a significant portion of the sun be covered by the moon.
And, to commemorate being a member of the path of partiality club, multiple Calgary organizations are marking the occasion. Here’s where you can find special eclipse events complete with telescopes, expert insights, live streams and, of course, take-home pairs of eclipse glasses.
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Eclipse maximum coverage in Alberta. (The Weather Network)
Telus Spark Science Centre
It will be an eclipse-themed day at Telus Spark on April 8.
With normal admission, visitors can view the sun, moon and the skies through telescopes supplied by members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Calgary (RASC) chapter.
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Though it was spoiled by a morning of particularly heavy fog, members of the Royal Astronomical Society visited Telus Spark with high-powered telescopes to help visitors view the annular solar eclipse that occurred last October. (The Weather Network)
Those RASC members will also be on hand to share valuable insights about the world of astronomy, astrophotography and science.
Meanwhile, Telus Spark will have a limited supply of eclipse glasses to hand out to visitors (a reminder that viewing a partial eclipse with the naked eye is even more dangerous than viewing a total eclipse). One pair of the glasses, which utilize a protective film designed to block all harmful sunlight, will be handed out per family.
“Supplies are limited, so please come here early to grab them if you can,” says Telus Spark Science Connections Director Zack Anderson.
“The moon and sun will come together to kind of look like a Mastercard symbol, that’s what we’ll see safely through our goggles up in the sky.”
And, if the weather doesn’t provide optimal viewing conditions, Telus Spark will still be live streaming coverage from the path of totality indoors.
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It will also be showing “Chasing Shadows”, a short film showcasing the planning and preparation undertaken by a group of passionate eclipse chasers, every morning leading up to the big moment.
“You gotta check it out if you can in a safe way. It’s fantastic, and it’s rare, and it’s pretty special,” Anderson says.
University of Calgary
Meanwhile, the physics and astronomy department at the University of Calgary are putting together a “pop-up observatory” for the day.
Faculty members and students will be on campus grounds April 8 with solar telescopes and, similar to Telus Spark, pairs of eclipse glasses that will be given out one per family while supplies last.
The set-event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the University’s Green Space Number 20, between the Science B, engineering and Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning buildings.
University of Calgary Astronomy Associate Professor Jeroen Stil is helping host a (weather-dependent) pop-up observatory on campus April 8. (The Weather Network)
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“It doesn’t get dark, but it is very nice to see if you have the right equipment. The sun will look a little bit like a very fat crescent moon,” explains Astronomy Associate Professor Jeroen Stil.
“If the weather is good there will be lots of people here. We’ve done one of these events before on campus which was a great event and attracted lots of people.”
Calgary and Edmonton solar eclipse timing. (The Weather Network)
This event is free to attend, though organizers are asking for donations to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory for educational programming.
Note that the University of Calgary’s event is weather-dependent, so be sure to stay tuned to the Weather Network for updated forecasts.
“This is a good weather event only, so if it’s cloudy don’t come because there won’t be anything to see,” Stil notes. “If you can see your shadow, then it should be great.”
