Mark your calendar! On April 8, 2024, Kingston and a lucky few areas in southern Ontario will witness a once-in-a-lifetime event – a total solar eclipse.
The 2024 eclipse will be visible from Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Kingston is one of the few locations in Ontario that is in the path of totality, or where the Sun will be completely blocked out by the Moon. This means many people will be flocking to the area to view this wondrous celestial spectacle. We need to plan now so that everyone living in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington can observe the 2024 eclipse safely while also welcoming travellers to our region to view the eclipse.
Did you see us at the Science Rendezvous 2022?
Members of the Queen’s University Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy department contributed many great educational activities, including several about solar eclipses! We have created an activity outline and Ontario-curriculumlinked activity sheet for the activities we demonstrated at Science Rendezvous 2022 that you can share with educators and use with your students.
Credit: Rick Fienberg / TravelQuest International / Wilderness Travel
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on the Earth. A total solar eclipse, like the one that will occur on April 8, 2024, occurs when the Moon completely blocks out the Sun and causes night-like darkness during the day on a very slim sliver of the Earth’s surface. The Sun’s atmosphere will be visible along with unique events such as Baily’s Beads, the Diamond Ring, shadow bands, and pinhole effects.
Where can I see the 2024 solar eclipse?
If you live east of Port Hope and South of Westport, you are likely already in the path of totality and will be able to view the eclipse from home or a nearby event! You can zoom in on your location using Xavier Jubier’s Google Map and find exact details for your location or check out the path of totality on TimeAndDate.
Let's get planning!
We are connecting and working with teachers, educators, municipal officials, and community leaders to make sure there are events and resources available within KFL&A to safely observe the 2024 solar eclipse. If you are an educator, librarian, or community leader please contact us at eclipse2024@queensu.ca.
We will be announcing resources, information, activities, and events on this page and on social media, so check back often!
* Banner image credit: The total phase of the March 20, 2015, solar eclipse as seen from the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic. This is a composite of short, medium, and long exposures, as no single exposure can capture the huge range of brightness exhibited by the solar corona. The longest exposure in the composite captured the faint illumination of the Moon by earthshine, that is, sunlight reflected off the Earth. No filter was used during the exposures, as totality is about as bright as the full Moon and just as safe to look at. At all other times, though, a safe solar filter is required to observe or photograph the Sun. Credit: Reinhard Wittich.