Solar Eclipse 2024: A Rare Celestial Spectacle

Have you ever happened to be in the right place at the right time? That’s how I felt being in Kingston, Ontario, Canada on April 8, 2024 to witness this rare celestial spectacle. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking all or part of the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth. This alignment creates a shadow on the Earth’s surface, leading to a transient period of darkness. Believe it or not, solar eclipses happen almost every year but what made yesterday’s eclipse so fascinating is that it casted a densely populated region into total darkness, something which southern Ontario had not seen in nearly 700 years. Usually, solar eclipses tend to happen over water and cover a narrower area.

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Vantage Point: Kingston, Ontario

I visited the city of Kingston for a clinical observership, but as a true adventurer, I planned to see as much as I could in my free time. I didn’t have to look far to realize that my visit coincided with this rare cosmic display as Kingston was considered to be among the best spots in the world to view the eclipse based on its position in the path of totality. I mean, there were advertisements EVERYWHERE, even on the street lights and buses which offered free transit to encourage viewers to park and ride in order to minimize traffic. Road closures were in effect, several hotels were booked to capacity and and seasonal attractions which hadn’t yet opened for spring opened their doors to welcome the influx of eclipse chasers.

After snow last week and an overcast weekend, I feared that the highly anticipated event may flop (oh ye of little faith!). The day began with some clouds but those soon drifted away to reveal bright sunshine and 15°C weather. Forecasted to begin at 2:04pm, I made my way to Kingston’s 8km waterfront which hosted several viewing parties. From my vantage point on the lawns outside City Hall, the excitement was palpable.

The Solar Eclipse

Right on time, the eclipse began as a little nibble which gradually got larger and larger as the Moon seemingly bit away more pieces of the Sun. What was a hot sunny afternoon became like dusk by 3:10pm. The wind picked up, the day got cold enough for coats once more and the birds started to flit about and chirp frantically, distraught that “night” had caught them by surprise. Equally as fascinating as the vanishing Sun were the changing lights, scenery and the people around me who were caught up in the beauty of the moment. I even got a lick from a dog which wandered away as his elderly owners got caught up in the moment with their glasses on. By time they noticed, they were horrified and apologized profusely. On a normal day, maybe I would’ve been upset but I actually found it amusing and reassured them about it.

And then it happened at 3:22pm: the three minutes of totality for which people had traveled for miles to witness. It was pitch black, save for the street lights which came on without fail and the Sun’s ethereal Corona. Truly, it had an apocalyptic feel as the crowd roared. This is the only moment in which it is safe to look at the sun without ISO 12312-2 certified solar viewing lenses. I can’t imagine how ancient people would’ve felt before astronomers understood the science behind what was happening. It was in that moment that I truly understood why people spend months and years planning ahead for eclipses. It was the best thing I’ve ever witnessed. Kingston has converted me into a solar eclipse chaser, and I’m not mad about it. It returned to broad daylight by 3:35pm like nothing happened but the eclipse didn’t fully conclude until 4:34pm. I went home feeling happy, knowing that I’d just experienced one of life’s most awesome moments.

Wrap Up

Did you witness yesterday’s solar eclipse? If so, share your location with me in the comments as well as the viewing conditions (cloudy or clear; partial or total). If not, I hope you enjoyed my recap of the event and that everyone gets to experience a total solar eclipse at least once in a lifetime. The next solar eclipse in Kingston, Ontario will be in 2399 but you can view the next total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 from the Arctic, eastern Greenland, northern Spain and Iceland, according to the USA’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Also, stay tuned for a five-part series on my trip to Canada which starts next week Friday. Subscribe so you don’t miss it. 🙂

P.S. No eyes or camera-phones were harmed in the making of this post!

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