How long will the eclipse last in Ontario?

A total solar eclipse will take over the sky on Monday, but when it starts and how long the celestial event lasts will vary slightly depending on where you're viewing it in Ontario.

On April 8, the Moon crosses the path of the Sun and the Earth. The partial eclipse is set to begin around 2:00 PM and end around 4:30 PM in Ontario, but these times will vary by location.

“Since the path of totality passes through southeastern Ontario, the earliest point of totality will be in southwestern Ontario at 3:12 p.m., and then when it reaches its farthest point (within) southeastern Ontario, it will be” at approximately 3:26 p.m. Dalia Bibas, a researcher-programmer for astronomy and space sciences at the Ontario Science Centre, told CTV News Toronto.

Depending on where Ontarians are watching it, the set can last anywhere from one to four minutes, Bibas said.

“There's no integrity in Toronto,” Bibas said. “We're at 99 percent coverage … so the peak coverage we'll see will be at 3:19 p.m.”

Bibas said Fort Erie will have the longest peak in the province, lasting about three minutes and 45 seconds.

Michael Reid, an associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Toronto, also pointed to Niagara Falls as being closest to the center of totality, where the peak lasts about three minutes and 31 seconds.

“I'll give you a contrast, if you're in Oakville, for example, right on the edge (of the full track), it's a few seconds,” Reed said. “It's a huge difference depending on how prepared you are to fight the crowd (and).”

Both astronomers explained that the difference in time depending on the location is due to where the city falls on the path of totality, which the two astronomers explained by the point where the darkest part of the moon's shadow falls on Earth. Thanks to Ontario, but everyone will see a piece of it.

“All of Ontario will be able to see a partial eclipse. The further south you go, places like Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Kingston, Burlington are in the path of totality, and places like Toronto and anywhere further north, even London, are close to totality. “Really close to the path of totality, but not exactly, there will be a partial solar eclipse,” Bibas explained.

“Basically it means you don't see the solar corona, the outermost layer of the atmosphere.”

According to Timeanddate.com, when the eclipse begins, peaks and ends depends on where you're viewing it in Ontario, with Bibas and Reed providing the most accurate data:

• Ajax, eclipse starts at 2:05 PM, peak at 3:20 PM, eclipse ends at 4:32 PM
• Barrie, eclipse starts at 2:05 PM, peaks at 3:19 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Brampton, eclipse starts at 2:04 PM, peak at 3:19 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Burlington, the eclipse will begin at 2:04 p.m., peak at 3:18 p.m., and the eclipse will end at 4:31 p.m. The eclipse will last a full minute and 28 seconds.
• Caledon, eclipse starts at 2:04 PM, peak at 3:19 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Guelph, eclipse starts at 2:03 p.m., peaks at 3:18 p.m., eclipse ends at 4:30 p.m.
• Hamilton, the eclipse will begin at 2:03 p.m., peak at 3:18 p.m., and the eclipse will end at 4:31 p.m. It will last a full minute and 50 seconds.
• Kingston, the eclipse will begin at 2:09 p.m., peak at 3:22 p.m., and the eclipse will end at 4:34 p.m. Totality will last three minutes and four seconds.
• Kitchener, eclipse starts at 2:03 PM, peak at 3:18 PM, eclipse ends at 4:30 PM
• London, eclipse at 14:01, peak at 15:17, eclipse ends at 16:29
• Markham, eclipse starts at 2:05 PM, peaks at 3:20 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Milton, eclipse starts at 2:04 PM, peak at 3:19 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Mississauga, eclipse starts at 2:04 PM, peak at 3:19 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Newmarket, eclipse starts at 2:05pm, peaks at 3:20pm, ends at 4:31pm
• Niagara Falls, the eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m., and the eclipse ends at 4:31 p.m. Totality lasts three minutes and 31 seconds.
• Oakville, Eclipse begins at 2:04 PM, Peaks at 3:19 PM, Eclipse ends at 4:31 PM Total duration is 21 seconds.
• Oshawa, eclipse starts at 2:05 PM, peaks at 3:20 PM, eclipse ends at 4:32 PM
• Ottawa, eclipse at 2:11 p.m., peak at 3:25 p.m., eclipse ends at 4:35 p.m.
• Peterborough, eclipse starts at 2:07 PM, peak at 3:21 PM, eclipse ends at 4:32 PM
• Pickering, eclipse starts at 2:05 PM, peaks at 3:20 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Richmond Hill, eclipse starts at 14:05, peak at 15:19, eclipse ends at 16:31
• St. Catharines, the eclipse will begin at 2:04 p.m., peak at 3:19 p.m., and the eclipse will end at 4:31 p.m. Totality will last three minutes and 15 seconds.
• Thunder Bay, eclipse starts at 1:59 PM, peak at 3:10 PM, eclipse ends at 4:19 PM
• Toronto, eclipse starts at 2:04 p.m., peak at 3:19 p.m., eclipse ends at 4:31 p.m.
• Vaughan, eclipse starts at 2:04 PM, peaks at 3:19 PM, eclipse ends at 4:31 PM
• Waterloo, eclipse at 2:03 p.m., peak at 3:18 p.m., eclipse ends at 4:30 p.m.
• Whitby, eclipse starts at 2:05 PM, peak at 3:20 PM, eclipse ends at 4:32 PM
• Windsor, eclipse starts at 1:58 PM, peaks at 3:14 PM, eclipse ends at 4:27 PM

Those planning to view the solar eclipse on Monday should not watch it with their eyes alone, as it is very dangerous.

“It's great to go outside and look at it, but people really need to be reminded, especially if they're supervising any kids who need extra supervision without looking directly at the sun without special glasses,” Reed said. they should also buy certified eclipse viewing glasses as there may be scams in the market.

“Be aware that someone may try to sell them fake glasses, or they may offer other dangerous methods like sunglasses or smoked glass – neither of which is a good idea.”

The next total solar eclipse for the Toronto area won't happen again for more than 100 years until 2144. However, the next partial eclipse will not cover the sky on January 14, 2029.