Curt Nason: Totality at last! What might we see?

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Our time has come. On Monday afternoon people in the central half of New Brunswick will experience a total eclipse of the sun, and in some areas such as Fredericton it will be for the first time in 11 centuries. What will we see, and how will we react, when the moon turns day into night?

We don’t just watch a total solar eclipse, we experience it through the sights, sounds and feeling of nature. But remember, whenever you look at the sun to watch the moon’s progression you will need proper eye protection. Around 3:24 p.m. on April 8, minus or plus a couple of minutes from west to east across the province, the moon will seemingly take a bite out of the lower right side of the sun. Over the next 70 minutes the sky will darken, the temperature will drop and the wind will pick up as the partial phase of the eclipse progresses, so be prepared with warmer clothing.

Watch what happens in nature as animals think it is near nightfall: birds settle down for the night, cows have been known to return to the barn mooing hungrily. Shadows look sharper and colours become more intense. Seconds before the sun is covered completely look for the shadow of the moon racing toward you at a kilometre per second from the west. The last few rays of the sun sparkle through craters and between mountains on the moon’s limb, a phenomenon called Baily’s beads; and finally, a flash of light resembling a diamond ring.

Totality. It is described as the greatest spectacle in nature. It is also said that no matter how long it lasts it seems like it was just eight seconds. In New Brunswick it lasts from up to three minutes and 21 seconds in Hartland near the centreline, to an actual eight seconds just within the northern and southern limits of the 180-kilometre-wide shadow of the moon. During the brief period of totality you do not require eye protection. In fact, you will miss the amazement if you do wear it.

Immediately the blackened sun becomes encircled by the pearly white wings and rays of its rarefied outer layer, the corona. As bright as a full moon, the corona is a million times dimmer than the rest of the sun, and during totality is the only time we can see it. Some people are shouting, cheering and dancing; some are crying from pure emotion, and some just stare with mouth agape. When you come to your senses, check out the sky and the twilight colours of the horizon all around you. Venus will be visible to the lower right of the sun and Jupiter to its upper left. Farther left you might see the bright stars of Orion and Sirius, the dog star.

The reappearance of the diamond ring and Bailey’s beads on the western side of the sun signals the end of totality, and it is time use your eye protection again to observe the eclipse. Thus begins 70 minutes of the partial phases in reverse. Look for the moon’s shadow receding toward the east, and watch for animal activity. Do they act confused? The eclipse experience will end around 5:42 p.m. and, if you travelled to be within the shadow, be patient and prepared for heavy traffic on your way home.

The sight of the sun disappearing mysteriously in the sky was a frightening experience for ancient people, and those who didn’t hide made raucous noises to chase away the demon that was devouring their source of warmth. Perhaps that primal fear still lurks within us.

For information about the Saint John Astronomy Club contact Curt Nason (nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca) or visit the website http://www.sjastronomy.ca/.