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Mostly clear skies as P.E.I. counts down the hours until total solar eclipse

The much-anticipated day has arrived for sky-watchers: a total solar eclipse will begin making its way across the western third of Prince Edward Island just before 3:30 p.m. AT. Islanders won't see another total solar eclipse for 55 years.

Some last-minute safety tips for watching the cosmic spectacle, and links to CBC's eclipse coverage so far

Carolyn Ryan · CBC News ·
A person sitting on a stool is surrounded by camera gear at North Cape, P.E.I.
A skywatcher is surrounded by camera gear while waiting for the eclipse at North Cape, P.E.I., on Monday afternoon. (Julien Lecacheur/Radio-Canada)

The much-anticipated day has arrived for sky watchers, and a total solar eclipse will begin making its way across the western third of Prince Edward Island just before 3:30 p.m. AT. 

That's when the moon's position in the sky will start to block our view of the sun — leading to a short period of darkness when the rays that illuminate and heat our planet will be completely blocked for many locations on Earth. 

The weather was co-operating on Monday, said CBC Prince Edward Island meteorologist Jay Scotland. 

"Aside from a brisk wind and a few passing clouds, conditions are shaping up to be favourable for viewing the solar eclipse here on P.E.I.," he said. "With temperatures climbing to the high single digits, even into the low teens for some inland areas, today is also quite comfortable to be spending time outdoors. So far, so good." 

A black and white image showing rays of light coming from behind an image of the moon.
UPEI's physics department shared this illustration predicting what the sun’s corona might look like from western P.E.I. during Monday's total solar eclipse. 'The prediction will evolve as the time of the eclipse approaches,' the department said on its website, adding more up-to-date predictions will be available online as the time approaches. (UPEI Physics Department)

The astronomy folks at the University of Prince Edward Island have posted a chart showing the best watching times for various communities across the Island. Click here to check for your area.

"If you're not able to spend the entire two-hour-plus duration of the eclipse watching it," UPEI's physics department said on its website, "then the most interesting part will be around the time when the eclipse is at its maximum.

"That is when the most of the moon's disc is covered by the sun."

Cars packed the parking lot at the North Cape Interpretive Centre on the northwestern tip of P.E.I.
By early afternoon, cars from all over had packed the parking lot at the North Cape Interpretive Centre on the northwestern tip of P.E.I. (Submitted by Dawn Binns)

The physicists said more than 99 per cent of the sun would be obscured at that moment of totality, everywhere on the Island.

But if you miss this eclipse, it's not like missing a bus and just catching the next one.

After this event slips away from Prince Edward Island, at 5:44 p.m., the next total solar eclipse seen from here will not be until May 1, 2079 — 55 years from now.

Given that, several communities in Western P.E.I. have been planning eclipse-watching events. CBC News will set up at the one at the Mill River Resort in Woodstock.

But that event's 400 tickets released to the general public have long been snapped up.

Here's a list of a few other venues, some of which include music, refreshments and activities for children: 

  • Bi-Centennial Park in Tignish from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • North Cape Interpretive Centre, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • The Stompin' Tom Centre in Skinners Pond, open until 6 p.m., with entertainment from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • West Point Harbourside Centre, starting at 1:30 p.m.
  • Beach Goats in St. Chrysostome, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WATCH | Here's how these Islanders plan to take in the solar eclipse:

Here's how these Islanders plan to take in the solar eclipse

9 months ago
Duration 0:46
Many P.E.I. residents say they're excited to safely watch the much-anticipated solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. CBC News spoke with people in Charlottetown about their plans and expectations.

Eclipse tourism is expected to bring hordes of people to Western P.E.I., including many of the 2,500 cruise ship passengers arriving on Port Charlottetown's first visit of the season, from MSC Poesia. 

Closer to the centre of the Island, the City of Charlottetown is also bracing for an influx of eclipse watchers.

In a news release Friday, the city said it would temporarily close the inside lane of the Victoria Park Roadway, between Terry Fox Drive and Victoria Park Driveway, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, to let the public to safely watch the eclipse.

For visitors and residents alike, the P.E.I. government has put together a web package on the eclipse, explaining what the phenomenon involves, what the risks are, tips for drivers, and other resources.  

This slide sums up safety advice posted on social media by the P.E.I. Department of Tourism.
This slide sums up safety advice posted on the P.E.I. government's eclipse site. (Government of P.E.I.)

Safety should be top of mind for everyone, provincial Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison warned — especially when it comes to avoiding long-term eye damage. 

"The big thing is not to look directly into the solar eclipse ... without special protective glasses," she said, emphasizing there's no protection from regular sunglasses, binoculars, or cameras without special solar filters.

WATCH | P.E.I.'s top doctor offers safety tips to enjoy the solar eclipse:

P.E.I.’s top doctor offers safety tips to enjoy the solar eclipse

9 months ago
Duration 1:41
As thousands of Islanders prepare to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison explains how to watch it safely without damaging your eyes — and the long-term consequences if you don’t.

Meanwhile, police warned people to be careful if they have to drive during the most dramatic minutes of the eclipse — and to watch out for stop-and-go traffic in case other drivers slow down to take a look. 

"With the excitement and anticipation surrounding this rare celestial event, it is expected that roads in the region may experience heavier traffic than usual," the RCMP said in a news release on Friday.

"Motorists should anticipate sudden changes in lighting and adjust their driving accordingly."

The RCMP also warned motorists not to drive while wearing eclipse-safety glasses, nor to try to photograph what's going on while on the roads.

Here are some other useful links to CBC's eclipse coverage: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Ryan

Journalist

Carolyn Ryan is the copy editor for CBC P.E.I.'s digital news operation. A graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island and the Carleton University School of Journalism, she has spent decades writing, editing and assigning other staff as a print, radio and digital journalist.

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