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EMPRESS WEATHER

2024 Solar Eclipse

What we will see at maximum in Empress Monday, April 8, 2024

In Empress, the partial eclipse will last from 11:50 am – 1:45 pm.  The maximum amount of the sun that we will see covered is 43%, which will happen at 12:47:42.  We are very far from the path of totality.

For more details about the eclipse from our point of view, click here.

People going about their day will probably not notice anything, and no, they will not go blind.  There is nothing more harmful about the sun during an eclipse than at any other time.  The only difference is the temptation for us to look at the sun.  That can only be done safely with the use of proper Solar Eclipse Glasses.

Viewing the eclipse safely

The only time that a solar eclipse can viewed safely without any eye protection, is during the total phase when the moon completely blocks the sun.  That will not happen here in Alberta.  You can see the path of totality here. It is very far from us, unfortunately.

Solar Eclipse Glasses
Eclipse glasses, and eclipse viewers, block out 100% of harmful ultra-violet rays, 100% of infrared, and 99.999% of intense visible light, protecting your eyes and letting you view the eclipse. Proper eclipse glasses/viewers are certified ISO 12312-2.  If they are torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard them and do not use them.  Beware of counterfeit and fake solar viewers, which will not provide proper protection.  See the American Astronomical Society Warns of Counterfeit & Fake Eclipse Glasses article to learn how to spot counterfeit and fake solar viewers.  They recommend buying Solar Viewers from this list of vendors, and they do not recommend searching for eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu, or any other online marketplace and buying from whichever vendor offers the lowest price.  “Before you buy a solar viewer or filter online, we recommend that you make sure that (1) the seller is identified on the site and (2) the seller is listed on this page.”

Can’t I use Welding Glasses?
Most welding glasses are not suitable for looking at the sun, and using them can be risky for your eyesight.  Only welding glasses with the darkest shade level of 14 can protect your eyes properly, but these are uncommon and may not be available in many hardware stores.

What about Sunglasses?
No!  A good pair of sunglasses should be able to block UVA and UVB rays.  However, these types of sunglasses are only intended for indirect sunlight exposure, such as sunlight reflected off everyday objects like trees and rocks, and scattered blue light from the sky.  It’s crucial to understand that sunglasses are not designed for direct sun viewing, as this can cause severe damage to the eyes.  The intense ultraviolet light can damage the cornea and lens of the eye, while intense visible light and infrared radiation can damage the retina.