This Ontario Natural Wonder Will Have One Of The Best Views Of The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Get ready! A solar eclipse is set to take place over parts of North America this spring in what will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for some.

A total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, across several regions in Canada, including Ontario. However, some areas will have a better view than others, including an Ontario natural wonder that will be one of the best places in the province to see the eclipse.

What is the total solar eclipse?

On April 8, 2024, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.

When this happens, the sky will darken for a few minutes as if it were dawn or dusk.

The solar eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for some Canadians — according to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Quebec, for instance, hasn't witnessed a total solar eclipse in over 50 years (1972), and it will be over 80 years before the next one (2106).

Where to see the total solar eclipse in Ontario

Not all of Ontario will be in the narrow path of totality. For one of the best views in the province, you'll want to head to Niagara Falls.

The natural wonder is directly in the path of totality, meaning viewers here will experience a few minutes of darkness as the moon completely covers the face of the sun, leaving only the sun's corona visible.

During this time, the remaining part of the sun’s disk will appear to dazzle like a diamond set in a ring, according to Time and Date.

Totality will begin at 3:18 p.m. ET, according to Eclipse 2024. Niagara Falls will also have one of the longest durations of totality in Ontario, with this period set to last for 3 minutes and 32 seconds.

For comparison, other areas such as Hamilton, which is also in the path of totality, will only experience the total eclipse for 1 minute and 47 seconds.

To celebrate the celestial event, Niagara Parks will have an array of exclusive events leading up to the eclipse.

At the Niagara Parks Power Station, Astronomy in Action will have a mobile planetarium and educators who will encourage learning about the solar system and the solar eclipse. The Power Station will also be hosting a number of interactive talks with NASA and CSA scientists.

The Niagara Falls Table Rock Centre, which will be one of the top viewing sites in the area, will also have special activities during the weekend of the eclipse, hosting free Mad Science programming for kids as well as offering guests access to Journey Behind the Falls.

Visitors will also be able to head to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory (located minutes away) to celebrate the eclipse, which, in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, will have hands-on activities related to STEM learning. Then, on April 8, an astronomer from TMU will be onsite at the conservatory to share the significance of the solar eclipse.

About 20 minutes away, Old Fort Erie will also be open to guests for the eclipse, and will also be hosting engaging talks and Q&A sessions with NASA and CSA scientists. The fort will experience totality for 3 minutes 44 seconds, just a bit longer than Niagara Falls.

How to view the total solar eclipse

It's only ever safe to look at the eclipse with the naked eye during the few minutes of totality, when the sun is fully eclipsed by the moon, according to Time and Date. Otherwise, you should never look directly at the sun, even if it's partially eclipsed, without proper protective eyewear.

To safely watch a solar eclipse, you must use protective eclipse glasses, or you can also project an image of the eclipsed sun by using a pinhole projector, which is easy to make for yourself.

Niagara Parks says it will have complimentary eclipse viewing glasses and filters available at its programming sites for guests visiting on April 8, while supplies last.

The event will certainly be special — according to Niagara Parks, a total solar eclipse hasn't been visible from Ontario since the 1970s, and won't be visible in Niagara Falls again until 2144, so don't miss your chance to see it!

This article's right-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.