Canada will see a partial solar eclipse when the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, traverses the narrow path on land from Oregon in the U.S. to the coast of Natal in Brazil.
Depending on where you are located in Canada, you can view up to 85% obscuration of the sun during the partial Solar Eclipse, which means there will be noticeable darkening of the day (at those locations).
Contents:
- Time and Duration of Solar Eclipse in Canada
- How & Where to View Solar Eclipse
- Eclipse Viewing Events in Canada – Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time and Duration of Solar Eclipse in Canada
Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the moon entirely obscures the sun, an annular eclipse results in a bright “ring of fire” around the moon. This occurs because the moon, positioned at its farthest from Earth, appears smaller, not fully covering the sun.
The full annular spectacle is only visible from locations along the path of annularity, where the moon crosses the sun’s center. Observers in Western Canada can anticipate a partial eclipse with more than 50% of the sun’s area covered by the moon.
| Location ~ Maximum Coverage Area of the Sun’s Disk (obscuration) | Eclipse Duration |
| Victoria, BC ~ 78% | 08:07 to 10:38 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 09:19 a.m. |
| Vancouver, BC ~ 75% | 08:08 a.m. to 10:38 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 09:20 a.m. |
| Prince George, BC ~ 61% | 08:13 a.m. to 10:37 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 09:22 a.m. |
| Whitehorse, YT ~ 51% | 08:20 a.m. to 10:31 a.m. Sunrise: 08:38 a.m. |
| Lethbridge, AB ~ 63% | 09:13 a.m. to 11:47 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 10:27 a.m. |
| Calgary, AB ~ 60% | 09:14 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 10:26 a.m. |
| Edmonton, AB – 53% | 09:17 a.m. to 11:44 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 10:28 a.m. |
| Saskatoon, SK – 49% | 09:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Maximum eclipse:10:33 a.m. |
| Regina, SK – 50.8% | 09:20 a.m. to 11:53 a.m. Maximum eclipse: 10:34 a.m. |
| Winnipeg, MB – 42% | 10:28 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 11:42 a.m. |
| Thunder Bay, ON ~ 33% | 11:38 p.m. to 2:08 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 12:52 p.m. |
| Windsor, ON ~ 34% | 11:46 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 1:05 p.m. |
| London, ON ~ 30% | 11:51 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 1:07 p.m. |
| Toronto, ON ~ 26.9% | 11:55 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 1:09 p.m. |
| Ottawa, ON ~19.8% | 12:06 p.m. to 2:23 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 1:14 p.m. |
| Montreal, QC ~ 17.2% | 12:11 p.m. to 2:23 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 1:17 p.m. |
| Quebec City ~ 13.5% | 12:19 p.m. to 2:21 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 1:20 p.m. |
| Fredericton, NB ~0.98% | 1:33 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 2:29 p.m. |
| Halifax, NS ~ 0.81% | 1:43 p.m. to 3:29 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 14:36 p.m. |
| Charlottetown, PEI ~0.68% | 1:45 p.m. to 3:24 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 2:35 p.m. |
| St. John’s, NL ~0.11% | 2:54 p.m. to 3:48 p.m. Maximum eclipse: 3:21 p.m. |
…
There is a slight difference in the percentage calculation using the US Naval Observatory Calculator and the above.
If your location is not listed above, check the Time & Date website.
How & Where to View Solar Eclipse
If the sky is clear (not cloudy) and if you are in the path of the partial eclipse, you can view the eclipse by looking at the sun during the time of the eclipse from a location of your choosing through special solar filters specially made for the purpose of viewing a solar eclipse.
Remember, it is not safe to view the Sun without appropriate filters.
Ensure you buy genuine glasses through local RASC/Science Centres or reputable stores. Select RASC chapters have distributed solar glasses to the local library. Check with your local chapter/library.
Where to Buy Solar Eclipse Glasses:
- Local RASC/Science Centres.
- List of reputed vendors by NASA
Other Options:
- Do a science project and make a pinhole projector – How to make a pinhole projector.
- Welder’s Mask – A welding mask with a lens rating of 14 (ONLY THAT) is safe for viewing the eclipse. Do not use a welder’s mask if the lens is damaged or scratched or if the shade rating is unknown.
Read safe viewing article by NASA.
Eclipse Viewing Events in Canada – Saturday, October 14, 2023
Many viewing parties (weather dependent) are organized in Canada by regional RASC centres, science centres and various university physics departments. Solar Telescopes will be set up on the grounds at most locations, and free eclipse glasses will be distributed at most venues (while supplies last).
Victoria
No official event has been announced (as of Oct 4) by RASC Victoria. Details
- Mount Tolmie Park a great place to view the eclipse.
- University of Victoria Observatory – (Contact)
Sunshine Coast
Weather permitting, Sunshine Coast Astronomy Club will be setting up solar scopes to allow the public to view the eclipse safely. From Sechelt, you’ll be able to view a ~75% eclipse.
The plan of Sunshine Coast Astronomy Club is to set up at two locations at 8 am:
- Foot of Trail Ave on the seawall in Sechelt.
- Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) turnaround area in Pender Harbour.
Details
Vancouver
- Science World
TBA Details - UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy
TBA – Details - H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Visit the Space Centre at 9:30am to observe the partial solar eclipse. They will have portable solar scopes out, and solar glasses will be available by donation. After the eclipse, watch the 10:45am planetarium show called “The Sun” and learn more about solar eclipses. – Details
Whitehorse
No event announced as of Oct 4, 2023 by Yukon Astronomical Society – Check
Edmonton
RASC Observatory at TELUS World of Science RASC Edmonton is organising free activities at the site during the Eclipse. Free eclipse glasses available on a first-come, first-served basis, one per family – courtesy RASC. Details
Calgary
- Telus Spark: Spark is hosting a viewing of the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, between 9:14 – 11:45 AM (MST), in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). Doors open at 8:30 AM. Details
Jasper
- Jasper Planetarium: Join staff from The Jasper Planetarium for the astronomical event of the year in the Rockies: a partial solar eclipse, October 14, 8:30 am to 10 am. Details
Saskatchewan
Winnipeg
TBA Details
Ontario
- Ontario Science Centre, Toronto: Join enthusiasts from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) for another exciting solar observation event! Using specialized telescopes, safely view the partial solar eclipse from the Science Centre’s Green Terrace. Plus, enjoy hands-on activities to learn more about why eclipses happen, the effects of UV rays and the importance of eye safety! Details
- London – Physics and Astronomy Dept. Western University Outreach: TBA
- Niagara RASC – TBA
- RASC Belleville – TBA
- Kingston RASC – TBA
- Ottawa Canada Aviation and Space Museum: TBA
Check here for a list of RASC Chapters.
The next total solar eclipse in Canada is on April 8, 2024, which will be visible from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.