Steal My Sunshine: Your Guide to the Solar Eclipse 2024

— written by Celia Du

This page will be updated with more information and resources as they become available.

Hey Alexa, play “Steal My Sunshine” because that’s what the moon is going to do on April 8, 2024. Whether you’re in the path of totality or will experience a partial eclipse like in Toronto (although 99% coverage ain’t bad!), it’s not a show to miss! It may not require the same level of scrambling and preparation it takes to snag those highly-coveted Taylor Swift Eras tickets, but it does take some planning if you want to safely enjoy this rare solar phenomenon. Dr. Parshati Patel, astrophysicist turned science communicator, educator, author and artist, guides us through what we need to know. Stay tuned for more tips on our Instagram as the eclipse approaches!

What is a Solar Eclipse?

Arguably one of the coolest photobombs in astronomy we can see on Earth without a telescope, a solar eclipse happens when the moon’s orbit briefly brings it between the Earth and the Sun. The moon effectively blocks sunlight partially or completely, depending on where you, the viewer, are. If you happen to be in the center of the Moon’s shadow, which astronomers call the ‘path of totality’, the Sun, Moon and Earth are perfectly aligned to show off a total eclipse.

This infographic presents useful information about the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, which will be visible in parts of Canada. When the Moon aligns perfectly between Earth and the Sun, many spectators will be plunged into temporary darkness. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

But if you find yourself outside the area covered by the Moon’s inner shadow (i.e. the Sun, Moon and Earth aren’t perfectly aligned from where you’re standing), you’ll see a partial eclipse. Even if the Moon is blocking 99% of the Sun, you’re only witnessing a partial eclipse.

Source: Exploratorium (YouTube)

Safety First!

Before you grab your cosmic popcorn to witness this celestial magic show, safety is key! Looking directly at the Sun without the appropriate protection can lead to partial or even complete loss of eyesight. Sunglasses will not do the trick! Even cameras can be damaged when directly photographing the Sun without any filters. 

The one and only time you can look directly at the Sun is during the total eclipse when the Sun is 100% completely covered during totality (99% partial eclipse definitely doesn’t count!). But that only lasts up to a few minutes, so viewer’s need to keep safety front of mind.

Here are a few ways you can look at the Sun safely:

  • ISO certified eclipse glasses

    Eclipse glasses are designed exclusively for looking at the sun as they reduce sunlight to safe levels, protecting your eyes from injury. They are about 1,000 times darker than ordinary sunglasses. How do you know if they’ve been certified? Unfortunately, it can be easy to pass glasses off as ISO certified, so check out the American Astronomical Society’s list of vetted eclipse glasses. Make sure to check for holes, scratches, bending, folding or creasing each time you use the glasses, as they will render the glasses ineffective. Do not face the sun when putting on the glasses—only face the sun once they’re on and you’ve confirmed that you aren’t able to see anything through the glasses beforehand.

  • Solar Eclipse App

    If you’re in the path of totality, you’ll be able to remove your eclipse glasses at maximum coverage. You’ll know when to take them off because once totality sets in, you won’t be able to see anything through the eclipse glasses. However, knowing when to put the glasses back gets tricky. We recommend using a solar eclipse timer app you can download on your phone (note: some apps may be paid) that will give you real-time updates on when totality is safe and it’s safe to remove your eclipse glasses, and when totality ends and you need to put them back on. An option to consider is the Solar Eclipse Timer.

  • Eclipse projector

    Eclipse projectors can be made in a variety of ways with different materials. All they require is a pinhole or a very round small hole that can project light from the Sun onto white paper. You can indirectly watch the eclipse as it happens via the projection on the white paper.  Make your own DIY pinhole camera like these examples below. Or, simply use a colander or pasta strainer—anything that has tiny holes!

Eclipse projection with a colander

Preparation is key so if you want more hands-on information and demonstrations about solar eclipses and how to see them, go to one of these events in Toronto to get yourself eclipse-ready! 

How Can I See It?

Map of the path of totality for the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, in Canada. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

Mark your calendars for April 8, 2024! Depending on where you are, the time may vary. You can find the timings of the eclipse for where you are and cities near you that lie in the path of totality here.

We know that finding the perfect spot to see the eclipse can be tricky–maybe there’s a tree or a building blocking your view of the Sun, or you’re travelling to see it in an unfamiliar city and don’t know where to go from there. We’ve compiled a list of events and viewing areas around the GTA that will help you have a stellar time.

Partial Eclipse Events in Toronto

An Eclipse Viewing Party

Join RCIScience and EcoSpark for an unforgettable solar eclipse viewing experience and discover how the eclipse impacts local wildlife behaviour!

register

Solar Eclipse Watch Party, Toronto Metropolitan University, 2-4:30 pm

Join TMU in the Quad to safely view the eclipse and learn more about this stellar phenomenon! Eclipse glasses will be available for free to those who register for the event. Register here.

Total Eclipse Events Nearby within the Path of Totality

Designated Viewing Areas within the Path of Totality

Can I Take a Picture of It?

Yes but just like our eyes, our cameras will also need protection!

With your cellphone

You will need a solar filter, which you can find through the American Astronomical Society’s list, or eclipse glasses. Put the solar filter or glasses in front of your cellphone camera and point your cellphone to the sky. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see your phone if you’re wearing your eclipse glasses, so you’ll have to remove them and leave your eyes unprotected. That’s why it’s incredibly important that you do not look up while you’re taking a photo. Look down at your phone as you point your phone upwards. Dr. Patel shows us how it’s done on Instagram.

Do not point your cellphone directly at the Sun without solar filters at any point except during 100% totality. At this point, you’ll have a few minutes to get some wide shots of the eclipse in. But if you're only seeing a partial eclipse (even 99%!), never take a photo without a solar filter.

Tips

  • Use a tripod

  • Add a 5-10s delay if possible—this allows your phone to stay steady when the photo is taken. Even a light tap from clicking the shutter can cause some shakiness.

  • Turn off any flash

  • Lock the focus on the moon or Sun. You can then increase or decrease the brightness for the best photo.

  • Practice, practice, practice! Try taking photos of the Sun with your eclipse glasses in the days leading up to the eclipse.

With a DSLR

Your DSLR camera will need a solar filter designed specifically for them, which you can also find through the American Astronomical Society’s list. If you have the option, a crop sensor camera is better than a full sensor camera. A tripod will also help keep your camera steady while you photograph the eclipse, as well as a shutter release remote control to prevent any shaking that comes from pressing the physical shutter-release button on the camera. If your camera has a delayed shutter setting, add a 5-10s delay in place of the remote control.

Now, let’s get to taking the actual photos! You can use a wide angle lens to capture both the surroundings and the eclipse but ideally, you’d want to use a telephoto lens that has a focal length greater than 100mm. As for camera settings, start with a low ISO of 100 or 200, and a somewhat longer f stop such as f/5.6. Vary the shutter speed throughout the eclipse—try anything from 1/2 to 1/8000 depending on the phase of the eclipse.

Dr. Parshati Patel’s solar eclipse camera setup.

A close up of Dr. Patel’s camera settings in photographing the Sun.

The best way to know what you like and how your camera performs with the filter and lens is to practice ahead of time! Be familiar with all the settings.

If you want to level up in your setup, you can add things like a tracker and connect it to your laptop to setup the sequence, but if you’ve never tried it, keep it simple during the eclipse! You don’t want to miss out on the experience by fiddling around with your setup. Don’t forget extra battery and SD cards! Make sure they’re ready for quick swaps on the day of.

We hope you get some amazing photos of the eclipse and share them with us!

Your Solar Eclipse Prep Checklist

  • Celestial popcorn (think blue and purple food colouring, chocolate chips or syrup, cinnamon sugar, white cheddar, star sprinkles)

  • Solar eclipse glasses

  • Eclipse projectors

  • Solar filters for your camera/cellphone

  • Tripod for your camera/cellphone

  • Shutter release remote control for your camera

  • Camera with a >100 lens, and extra batteries and SD cards

  • Attend a pre-eclipse event

How Are Eclipses Important in Scientific Research?

A study by William M. Wheeler and collaborators featured 498 personal observations from game wardens, naturalists and members of the public during a solar eclipse on August 31, 1932. It found evidence of changes in animal behavior and soundscapes during the eclipse–notably that animals think it’s nighttime! 

A NASA Citizen Science project, the Eclipse Soundscapes Project, is revisiting that study by collecting data on how eclipses affect life on Earth–but this time, with modern technology! 

This project is also a model for a multi-sensory approach to scientific observation and data collection, helping to advance soundscape ecology. An emerging field, soundscape ecology studies the sound of ecosystems to better understand them. Eclipses are a rare and crucial avenue of research, providing an opportunity to study how animals react to sudden, dramatic changes in natural stimuli.

As with all research, the more data, the better! Anyone is welcome to help collect and analyze data however they can, with all of the senses available to them, including sight, sound and feelings! The equipment used to collect soundscapes, the AudioMoth recording device, has tactile cues, effectively increasing accessibility. The project also allows for multiple modes of sharing data, such as through audio, text and visuals. 

Curious how you can take part in this Eclipse Soundscapes Project? Join RCIScience and EcoSpark at Old Mill Dam for a Partial Eclipse Watch Party, where we will also be collecting data for this project!