The Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board are adjusting the date of an upcoming Professional Activity (PA) day from April 19th to April 8th to coincide with a rare total solar eclipse expected to cast the region into darkness. Scheduled to occur from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 8th, the total solar eclipse will be visible across the region, with the path of totality anticipated just south of London, and the school boards citing safety concerns such as reduced daylight levels and the risk of eye damage from direct sun exposure.
This celestial occurrence will see the moon completely obscure the sun’s rays during its journey across the sky. NASA explains that although the sun is much larger than the moon, their relative distances make them appear almost identical in size. The last total solar eclipse witnessed in Canada occurred in February 1979.
Directly observing the sun without proper protection can result in retinal burns and vision impairment. It is safe to view the eclipse without eye protection only during the brief period when the sun is entirely obscured.
To observe the eclipse safely, specialized solar viewing glasses certified for such purposes are necessary. In the absence of these glasses, individuals can create a DIY solar eclipse projector. Sunglasses are not adequate protection for viewing a solar eclipse.
(Photo by AP Natacha Pisarenko)
Written by: C. Soares