Photo courtesy of the Essex Region Conservation Authority.Photo courtesy of the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
Windsor

Total eclipse will be "spectacular"

For the first time in over 200 years, the region will experience a total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse was visible in Northern Ontario in 1979.

Starting around 1:58 p.m. the moon will start to move across the sun from the lower right corner. The moon will move across the sun until it is completely covered, which is expected to happen between 3:12 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

"It's going to get dark out, the stars will come out. We'll be able to see the sun's outer atmosphere shimmering beyond the edge of the moon. We might even get to see a few of the flames erupting off the sun's surface, we call them prominences and that's because the sun is very active right now. It will be very spectacular," said Steven Pellarin, University of Windsor astronomy professor.

You may be asking yourself why this doesn't happen more often. Pellarin said it all comes down to the position of the moon.

"The moon's orbit is tilted and so that means usually when it's between us and the sun it passes above the earth or below the earth in terms of its shadow, it shadow does not strike the earth's surface. In this particular case, it will and the moon is a little bit closer so we're guaranteed to have, in the zone of totality the moon completely covering the sun," said Pellarin.

The zone of totality includes parts of Colchester, Kingsville, and Leamington.

Even outside the zone of totality, most of the region will experience 99 per cent coverage.

"The sky will get darker, it won't get as dark as it will in totality, you might see a few stars. The thing that you're not going to be able to see from outside the zone of totality is the sun's atmosphere sticking out from behind the moon," said Pellarin.

He indicated people will also notice a temperature change, a shift in the wind, and even wildlife could shift their behaviour.

After the total eclipse, the partial phase will end at 4:28 p.m.

The Ontario Provincial Police have been working with local municipalities to create road safety plans in anticipation of large crowds.

There will be several road closures set in place in Leamington to assist with traffic movement. Starting at 8 a.m. Monday the following closures will be in effect:

Seacliff Drive West at Forest Avenue

Seacliff Drive East at Erie Street South

Bruce Avenue at Cherry Lane

Cherry Lane at Robson Road

Donald Avenue at Robson Road

Bruce Avenue at Robson Road

There will also be restricted road access to Point Pelee Drive from Mersea Road D, and Mersea Road E. Mersea Road C will also have restrictions at Mersea Road 19.

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