After watching a television program showcasing a complete solar eclipse in Antarctica in 2003, Stephen Bedingfield from Yellowknife was inspired to pursue witnessing every eclipse possible. This week, he and his wife have traveled to Spain to witness his 13th total solar eclipse, marking his 23rd eclipse in total, including partial eclipses, with an anticipated duration of about two minutes.
Bedingfield likened the experience of a total solar eclipse to witnessing iconic landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef, Niagara Falls, and Mount Everest all at once, emphasizing the grandeur of the event. He expressed that there is no parallel to the awe-inspiring sight.
While a total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northern Russia, as well as a small section of Portugal on Wednesday, Canada will have the opportunity to observe a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will partially obscure the sun.
During his extensive travels pursuing solar eclipses, Bedingfield has formed friendships and connected with a community of fellow eclipse enthusiasts. He described the camaraderie amongst eclipse chasers, highlighting the shared excitement of experiencing these celestial phenomena.
Bedingfield emphasized that although the eclipse itself may be brief, part of the allure lies in the transformative effect it has on the environment. He noted that temperatures can plummet by 15 degrees Celsius within 15 minutes, causing changes in animal behavior and creating a unique environmental atmosphere.
Christa Van Laerhoven, the vice president of the Yukon Astronomical Society, advised viewers in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Iqaluit to ensure they use proper eye protection when observing the partial eclipse. She recommended approved solar eclipse glasses or alternative methods such as creating a pinhole projector using household items like an empty box, foil, and a white sheet of paper. Van Laerhoven also suggested using a leafy tree as a natural pinhole projector, cautioning that looking directly at the sun is hazardous even during a partial eclipse.