2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Experience the total solar eclipse in Norfolk County

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, is happening, and Norfolk County is in the direct path of totality. One of nature’s most rare and spectacular events, the eclipse will take 2 hours and 28 minutes from start to finish, with the total eclipse lasting 3 minutes.

Where to watch

A total eclipse can only be experienced along a relatively narrow strip on the Earth’s surface, called the path of totality. During the April 8 eclipse, all areas of Norfolk County will be in the path of totality. While the eclipse will be visible outside this area, the moon will not cover the sun completely.

Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum (WHAM)’s Great Solar Eclipse event

Date: Monday, April 8, 2024

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As a result of construction and safety concerns on the museum grounds and a change in scheduling from the Science Centre, WHAM has needed to revise programming for the Solar Eclipse happening on Monday, April 8.

The museum will now offer drop-in solar-themed art activities between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Along with these activities, visitors will receive a free pair of Official Solar Glasses provided by the Ontario Science Centre for eclipse viewing.

Admission by donation.

How to safely watch a solar eclipse

To protect your eyes and avoid eye damage during a solar eclipse:

Do not look directly at the eclipse at all. Looking at even a small sliver before or after the eclipse without eye protection can harm your vision.
If you want to look at the eclipse, only use safe solar eclipse viewers or filters that meet international standard ISO 12312-2.
You can enjoy the eclipse through indirect viewing methods such as pinhole projectors or NASA’s live stream.
Regular sunglasses will not protect your eyes.
It is unsafe to view the eclipse through a camera, phone lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device, even with eclipse viewers.
Do not use homemade filters or any devices that are not specifically made for viewing eclipses.
Keep a close eye on children during a solar eclipse. Their eyes let in more light to the retina than adult eyes, so they are at higher risk of harm.

Tips when using eye protection:

Make sure your viewers are from a reputable vendor. If you’re unsure if the product came from a reputable vendor, do not use it.
Read and follow all directions.
Check the viewer or filter for any damage, wrinkles, punctures, or scratches before using it.
Ensure that eclipse glasses fully cover your field of vision.
You should not be able to see anything through a safe solar filter except the Sun itself.
Put on the viewer before looking at the solar eclipse and turn away from the eclipse before removing the viewer.
Help children use their eye protection correctly and provide adult supervision.

There are no pain sensors in your retinas to indicate that your eyes are being damaged by looking at the Sun. Symptoms can take 12 to 48 hours to appear. Once symptoms start, it is usually too late to reverse the damage.

If you experience any changes in your vision following the solar eclipse, visit a hospital or your optometrist for an assessment. Do not drive.

Visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit website for more information.

What to watch for

Partial Eclipse Starts — Stages of the total solar eclipse

Full Eclipse Begins — Stages of the total solar eclipse

Time	Description	Diagram
2:02:50 p.m.	Partial eclipse begins. The Moon touches the Sun’s edge.
3:16:49 p.m	The full eclipse begins. The Sun becomes a total eclipse.
3:18:20 p.m.	Maximum eclipse. The Moon is closest to the centre of the Sun.
3:19:50 p.m.	The full eclipse ends. The Moon begins to move away from the Sun.
4:30:42 p.m.	Partial eclipse ends. The Moon leaves the Sun’s edge.