On April 8, 2024 a total solar eclipse will take place over the Thetford region. For about two minutes, the population can watch as the moon completely covers it and the daylight gets darker. This event happened in the region 60 years ago, in 1963, but will not happen again until 2205.
Julie Bolduc-Duval, astronomer and science communicator, wants to inform the local population about this very rare event.
Julie Bolduc-Duval, astronomer and science communicator, wants to inform the local population about this very rare event. “A solar eclipse that passes over us happens about once in a lifetime. Those who saw it in 1963 and are still around today will be very lucky because it will not be repeated for almost 180 years. I’ve been working on this for two years now. People tell themselves that April 2024 is a long way away, but there is the security issue that we need to think about. To observe a solar eclipse you need glasses specially designed for this and we risk a shortage. »
The resident of Thetford Mines has worked in astronomy education for twenty years. She works with astrophysicists across Canada and is director of the Discovering the Universe program. This, offered in French and English, helps primary and secondary school teachers with educational content related to astronomy. She is also part of the Eclipse Quebec group.
“My job is to inform the schools, but I also feel a responsibility as a citizen in my community. I want people here to be ready. During the last major solar eclipse in North America in 2017, many last-minute counterfeit glasses were offered on Amazon. The info said it was certified but it was fake. There are currently no local outlets so we are working with the group to ensure there are. »
Wearing glasses will be essential to be able to view the eclipse because, as always, viewing the sun is dangerous for the human eye. Special glasses block 99.9% light and make observation safe. According to Ms. Bolduc-Duval, alternative methods are not recommended. When taking pictures with your cell phone, she advises putting your glasses in front of the lens so that the picture gets better. For more sophisticated cameras and video cameras, there are opaque filters for this type of recording. Note that the Center de services scolaire des Appalaches planned the coup and will have glasses for all students.
Julie Bolduc-Duval also anticipates that the event will draw crowds of curious people, as many places in the province will not have the opportunity to view a total solar eclipse. “They’ll see it in Sherbrooke and Saint-Georges, but it won’t be complete in Quebec. For example, in 2017, a city of 30,000 people in the United States doubled that number on that day. It had happened in the middle of summer so maybe people had more time to get around. It will be a Monday in April for us, but in the weeks leading up to this the excitement will be felt and it will be all over the media. On the tourist side, this could be a big advantage for Thetford. »
The astronomer and science communicator says she herself is very excited to experience this event at home. “We think that only the astronomy enthusiasts are excited, but that’s not the case at all. Wherever it happens, the madness is there. As you watch the sun disappear, you understand why certain societies would panic during solar eclipses in the past. It brings a lot of emotions to life because it’s really impressive as a phenomenon. »
Of course, if the sky is cloudy that day, the experience will not be the same, but people can still watch the daylight dimming. Julie Bolduc-Duval is hoping for good weather to be able to fully enjoy the event.
To visit the Discovering the Universe website: https://www.decouvertelunivers.ca/eclipse
More details on the upcoming solar eclipse: https://www.eclipsequebec.ca/
Here is a video of people’s reaction to a solar eclipse that took place in the United States in 2017: