Parts of eastern Canada to be in direct path of next total solar eclipse in 2024

“I can see the opportunity for Canadian groups to get together and promote the event. It will be a great opportunity for tourism,” he said.

Catherine Lovekin, an astronomy professor at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., said she expects New Brunswick will draw visitors hoping to avoid the crowds in big cities to the west.

“Anyone serious about eclipse chasing will make the venture,” she said.

Lovekin said both Monday’s eclipse and the one expected in 2024 are a great opportunity to get children interested in science.

There was a long line-up of youngsters and their parents Monday afternoon to get into Science East, a science centre in Fredericton.

Stacey Waugh said she thought it was important to bring her four children who had never seen an eclipse before. Her youngest daughter, seven-year-old Josie, was excited to learn that Fredericton will be directly in the path of the one.

“That’s cool,” Josie said, as her mother pointed out that she will be 14-years-old.

Jennifer Gale, a science educator at Science East, was kept busy sharing eclipse filters with children and adults as the crowd grew. She said she expects there will be larger crowds and greater excitement for the next eclipse.

“In seven years when we’re going to be totally in the dark, it will be pretty wild. People will be very excited,” she said.

While much of the country had clear, sunny skies to view the partial eclipse Monday, Weadick said the April date for the next one could be a factor.

“We all know about April showers,” he said.

Weadick said he’ll be watching the forecast, and will be prepared.

“I’ll also have the car packed in case I have to head north or south an hour to catch the sun without clouds,” he said.

Kevin Bissett, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Parts of eastern Canada to be in direct path of next total solar eclipse in 2024

What's Trending