On April 8, we will be treated to a very rare phenomenon: a total solar eclipse! Some school service centers in Quebec and Ontario decided to close schools that day. This is because they fear that students will damage their eyes by looking at the sky when they leave class. Is this a good decision? I spoke about it with astronomer and science communicator Julie Bolduc-Duval. She explains everything to us!
What exactly is a total solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is when the Moon comes directly in front of the Sun, creating a perfect alignment between the Sun, Moon and Earth. It’s like seeing the shadow of the Moon from the Earth. Depending on our position in the world, the Moon will completely or partially block the Sun and its light. What makes this event particularly exceptional is that the last total solar eclipse in Quebec took place in 1972 and the last one in Montreal dates back to 1932!
Is a solar eclipse dangerous?
The eclipse itself is not dangerous. What can be dangerous is damaging your eyesight temporarily or even permanently by looking directly at the Sun without protection. And during an eclipse, it’s tempting to look at the Sun, it’s the highlight of the show! But it’s like cycling: if you wear a helmet, you minimize the risk of injury. In this case, you have to wear eclipse glasses, it’s like our helmet!
Eclipse glasses have solar filters that block almost all (99.997%) of the Sun’s brightness. They are made from specialized materials and are certified to block the Sun’s ultraviolet and infrared rays.
Is it a good solution to close schools on the day of the eclipse?
Personally, I think not. I understand that the time of the eclipse is a concern. The time when the Moon completely covers the Sun is expected at 3:30 p.m. This is often the time when elementary school children leave school to go home. They are then either on the bus or on the move, which is not ideal for ensuring their safety. What I want to propose is to postpone the time at which the children have to leave. That way, they would be at school and well supervised to follow this event which only happens once in a lifetime. They could then go home with their protective glasses to watch the rest of the partial eclipse at home.
The most important thing is that young people do not find themselves indoors during this exceptional astronomical phenomenon. We want them to be able to experience seeing an eclipse, whether partial or total, in complete safety! But for that, they must be well equipped to watch it.
Charlotte Préfontaine, trainee journalist
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