Manitobans will be able to see a solar eclipse for the first time sine 1979 on Monday, and two Winnipeg universities are making sure people don’t miss out on the fun.
Both the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba are hosting events on Monday afternoon to view the partial solar eclipse, which will begin just before 1 p.m. and end shortly after 3 p.m. local time.
“It’s one of the most visceral moments you can have of actually observing our place in the solar system,” said Evan McDonough, an assistant professor in the physics department at the U of W.
“The sun rises and sets every day and it feels routine, but this is totally otherworldly.”
Clear skies permitting, the physics department will be outside with a state-of-the-art telescope equipped with a solar filter to allow viewers to safely watch the moon pass in front of the sun, partially blocking the sun’s rays.
Though Manitobans won’t see a total eclipse, “you’re still gonna get that magic of seeing how the shadows change, seeing part of the sun be blocked out [by the moon]” McDonough said.
The U of M is also helping Manitobans watch the eclipse.
About 500 eclipse glasses will be given out between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and few 3D-printed solar projection telescopes will also be available, said Kelvin Au, a PhD astrophysics student at the U of M.
“Seeing the sun kind of blocked out by the moon is an event that really is beyond our imagination,” he said on Sunday.
“As long as the skies are clear and the word spreads, I think we’ll get a good crowd.”
A public viewing, hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, is also planned at Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park from 12:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Since Monday’s total eclipse will be the last visible anywhere in Canada until August 2044, Au is urging Manitobans not to miss it.
“If you miss out on this, you’ll be waiting a little longer.”