Lots of of individuals throughout Ontario appeared as much as the skies to view the whole photo voltaic eclipse on Monday – a uncommon celestial occasion that won’t return for an additional 120 years.
Whereas the eclipse in and of itself is a sight to behold, just a few different notable moments occurred all through the day that made it all of the extra particular.
Listed below are some highlights that occurred all through the once-in-a-lifetime photo voltaic eclipse.
Niagara Falls broke a Guinness World Report
The Metropolis of Niagara Falls set a brand new world document throughout the eclipse on Monday.
In a launch, the town, in partnership with Niagara Falls Tourism, stated it has damaged the Guinness World Report for the “largest gathering of individuals dressed because the solar” with 309 folks sporting themed outfits on a Niagara Metropolis Cruise.
The final document holder was China Life Insurance coverage Firm Restricted, which earned that document in 2020 with 287 contributors.
The Metropolis of Niagara Falls, and Niagara Falls Tourism, earned a Guinness World Report throughout the whole photo voltaic eclipse on April 8, 2024. (Metropolis of Niagara Falls Canada)
Couple ties the knot throughout the eclipse
Stephanie Robinson and Noel Thompson determined to trade their marriage ceremony vows on the day of the whole photo voltaic eclipse on Crystal Seaside in Fort Erie, Ont. Right here, the height of the photo voltaic eclipse lasted about three minutes and 45 seconds, the longest throughout the province.
“I assumed it was enjoyable and necessary astronomically with the solar and moon coming collectively,” Robinson instructed CTV Information Toronto. “I assumed it was very romantic.”
Hoards of individuals began to fill the seaside to view the eclipse – one thing the newlywed couple stated they didn’t take into account.
“I didn’t count on something like this,” Thompson instructed CP24. “I simply need to be with my love, that’s it, and simply share the second. I didn’t count on anybody.”
Toronto’s skies clear after the eclipse peaks
Clouds draped over the solar proper because the moon handed over throughout the peak of the eclipse, posing a problem to eclipse chasers craving to view the uncommon celestial occasion with a crystal clear view.
Skywatchers may nonetheless catch a glimpse of the eclipse beneath the shroud of clouds and witness the skies darken for a second throughout the afternoon. Quickly after the eclipse ended, nonetheless, clearer skies swept throughout Toronto.
Throughout the peak of the photo voltaic eclipse in Toronto (left) and after the eclipse ended (proper). (Hannah Alberga/CTV Information Toronto, Joanna Lavoie/CP24)
Mayor Olivia Chow joins extra 900 kids for viewing social gathering
Greater than 900 youngsters attended the photo voltaic eclipse viewing social gathering at Downsview Airport in North York, the place they realized what eclipses signify for First Nations peoples.
“It’s particular that we may truly expertise this, the grandmother moon and the grandfather solar, they’re going to attach with one another. That’s very uncommon,” Mayor Olivia Chow instructed CP24 Monday afternoon.
“Now we have Indigenous people right here giving us some historical past on how they view issues and in some methods for me, instances are generally darkish, and we do know the solar will come again out. So, for me, it is a season of spring of hope, although whole darkness goes to rely on us in essentially the most surprising means.”
Wolves frolicked throughout the eclipse on the Toronto Zoo
The hundreds who gathered on the Toronto Zoo on Monday not solely received to witness the uncommon celestial occasion, but additionally witness the animals’ reactions to the eclipse.
“The prospect to watch and see how they react to one thing utterly surprising that’s a good distance outdoors of their regular, I feel it’s a possibility for us to check some hypotheses, get the neighborhood concerned, and enhance the understanding of the animals in our care,” Dolf DeJong, Toronto Zoo’s CEO, instructed CTV Information Toronto’s Natalie Johnson on Monday.
On the zoo, it appeared that the polar bears couldn’t be bothered by the photo voltaic eclipse, however the wolves had been seen frolicking and performing extra vigorous throughout the celestial present.
The wolves had been seen frolicking throughout the peak of the whole photo voltaic eclipse on April 8, 2024. (CTV Information Toronto)
“Eerie seeing that actually, my consideration was sort of divided between the eclipse itself and the wolves,” Ezekial Gading stated. “It was fairly fascinating to see how the [wolves’] exercise degree was fairly excessive round that point.”
Whereas the eclipse began at about 2 p.m., it peaked at 3:19 p.m. in Toronto and ended at about 4:30 p.m. The subsequent whole photo voltaic eclipse Ontarians can view can be in 2144.
With information from CTV Information Toronto’s Natalie Johnson
