Newfoundland and Labrador residents had the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday afternoon, depending on the weather conditions. The partial eclipse was first visible in Churchill Falls at 1:37 AT (2:07 NT) and gradually made its way across the province. The event was expected to conclude in St. John’s at 4:37 p.m. NT, with the moon covering approximately 50% of the sun in Newfoundland.
A viewing party was held at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John’s, where attendees watched the moon pass in front of the sun using special safety glasses. The event, which ran from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., was organized in collaboration with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and STEM Girls.
Astronomer Hiding Neilson from Memorial University described the experience of seeing the moon block the sun as “wonderful.” He emphasized the uniqueness of solar eclipses, mentioning that partial eclipses like this one occur only about every 50 years in Newfoundland.
Andrea van Nostrand, the lead of education and interpretation at the Geo Centre, highlighted the spectacular nature of the event, noting the activities available for children to create solar viewing tools. She expressed excitement about the rare opportunity to witness the moon moving in front of the sun.
Meanwhile, a total solar eclipse was set to be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal. Two years ago, a mother-daughter duo, Jennifer Waye and Gabriela Fuentes Waye, were inspired to travel to Spain to witness a total eclipse after experiencing one previously. They anticipated the event in Spain, citing favorable weather conditions and a family connection to the country.
In Canada, regions farther north and east, such as Alert, Nunavut, were expected to have a more complete solar eclipse, with the sun being 94% covered. The rare celestial event attracted enthusiasts and casual observers alike to witness the captivating phenomenon in the sky.