On Wednesday afternoon, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador had the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse depending on the weather conditions. The event began in Churchill Falls at 1:37 AT (2:07 NT) and gradually unfolded across the province throughout the afternoon, concluding in St. John’s at 4:37 p.m. NT. In Newfoundland, the eclipse was expected to obscure around 50% of the sun, with the extent varying slightly based on the specific location.
In St. John’s, the Johnson Geo Centre hosted an enthusiastic watch party where attendees observed the moon making its slow journey across the sun. Safety was a priority, with participants equipped with special viewing glasses. The watch party, held from 12 p.m. NT to 5 p.m., was organized in collaboration with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and STEM Girls.
Astronomer Hiding Neilson from Memorial University shared his experience of witnessing the moon gradually covering the sun through his telescope, describing it as the moon “eating the sun up.” Spectators at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John’s marveled at the celestial spectacle with specialized equipment in hand.
Overall, the partial solar eclipse captivated onlookers across Newfoundland and Labrador, offering a unique and memorable astronomical experience.