2023-11-24 21:30:00
Published on November 24, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
In a little over four months, a total eclipse should be visible in Quebec. But certain conditions must be met. Explanations.
An extremely rare event
On April 8, Quebec will have a front-row seat to witness a total solar eclipse. The sky will be temporarily darkened by the passage of the Moon in front of our star. In fact, the show is expected to last precisely 1 minute and 27 seconds. This phenomenon occurs on average once every 375 years at a specific location on Earth. The last total solar eclipse that took place in Montreal was on August 31, 1932, 91 years ago. If you miss the phenomenon, the next time you will have the chance to observe a total eclipse in Quebec will be… in 2106!
Quebec as a focus
The best perspectives for viewing the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 are along a path approximately 200 kilometers wide. This extends from the equatorial Pacific to the North Atlantic, crossing Mexico, the United States and eastern Canada. This trajectory, called the path of totality, will be the point where the Moon will completely cover the Sun. Quebec is on this path, which increases the chances of witnessing the spectacle of obscuration, but does not guarantee it.
But there’s a catch
There is in fact no guarantee that the eclipse will be visible on April 8, despite this favorable positioning of the province. The problem is the clouds. If they are indeed present, we will have to say goodbye to the show. On average, at this time of year, the cloud cover is at least 69%, which reduces the chances of seeing the eclipse. All that remains is to wish ourselves clear skies for this day!
NB: Be careful not to look at the phenomenon directly. Protection is necessary, such as special glasses or sun filters. The Sun can indeed cause significant damage to your eyes.
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