CORNWALL – It’s Monday, April 8, 2024 when parts of Eastern Ontario, Canada, the United States and Mexico will experience a total solar eclipse. Here’s what you need to know:
- The eclipse, where the moon will pass between the Sun and Earth, will start at 2:11 p.m., reach totality at 3:24 p.m. and complete at 4:35 p.m.
- You have to use special eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) in order to look at the Sun. You can also make your own pinhole camera for viewing.
- The City of Cornwall has provided all city employees and councillors with eclipse glasses as a measure of safety.
- The United Counties of SD&G has planned for a mass influx of people to view the event.
- The City of Cornwall is hosting an eclipse party in Lamoureux Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cornwall police will have a section of Water Street, between Pitt Street and Sydney Street, closed to traffic around the festivities in Lamoureux Park. Detours will be in effect. The closure started at noon and will be in place until people leave after 4 p.m.
- SD&G OPP are encouraging people to be safe. It includes making sure your vehicle headlights are on when driving during the eclipse. They also suggest not pulling over on the side of the road to view it. Instead, find a safe area off the highway.
- The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has closed all offices and buildings in order for staff members to view the eclipse. The MCA and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe have done emergency planning as a “proactive and precautionary measure.”
- Traffic on the south span of the Seaway International Bridge (between Cornwall Island and Hogansburg, N.Y.) will be paused for about five minutes during the totality phase of the eclipse.
- It’s a day off for students in Cornwall and SD&G. The PA Day originally scheduled for April 26 was moved to today because the eclipse would be happening when schools let out and buses picked up students. “This will ensure that students are at home and are not outside or en route while the eclipse is taking place,” the Upper Canada District School Board said.
- The St. Lawrence Parks Commission has a sold-out event at Crysler’s Farm National Historic Site near Morrisburg. Guests will be asked to show their paid parking permit to enter.
- St. Lawrence College has postponed an Indigenous reconciliation condolence ceremony in conjunction with the day of the eclipse. It will be held in the fall.