Yellowknife resident Stephen Bedingfield was inspired to start chasing solar eclipses after watching one over Antarctica in 2003. Accompanied by his wife, he has now traveled to Spain to witness his 13th total solar eclipse, marking his 23rd eclipse overall, including partial ones. The event is expected to last around two minutes.
Bedingfield likened the experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse to seeing iconic natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Niagara Falls, and Mount Everest all at once. He emphasized the uniqueness and magnificence of the phenomenon, describing it as unparalleled.
While a total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northern Russia, as well as a small part of Portugal on Wednesday, Canada will only witness a partial solar eclipse where the moon partially covers the sun. Bedingfield highlighted the exceptional alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse, emphasizing it as a wonder of the solar system.
Having chased eclipses for two decades, Bedingfield has connected with a community of fellow eclipse chasers around the world. He described the thrill of experiencing different cultures and meeting people during his travels to witness these celestial events.
Apart from the visual spectacle, Bedingfield noted the environmental changes accompanying a solar eclipse, such as a sudden drop in temperatures and altered behavior of wildlife. He stressed the holistic experience of witnessing such an event.
In preparation for the upcoming partial eclipse, viewers in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Iqaluit were advised on the peak times and percentages of the sun that will be covered by the moon. Christa Van Laerhoven from the Yukon Astronomical Society recommended using approved solar eclipse glasses or creating simple at-home projectors to safely observe the eclipse.
Van Laerhoven dispelled the misconception that the sun is more dangerous during an eclipse, cautioning that staring at the sun is always risky. She suggested alternative methods, like using a leafy tree or creating a pinhole projector, to view the eclipse safely.