Norfolk County residents are in for a rare celestial treat as they are situated within the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse. With only 43 million people worldwide having the opportunity for optimal viewing, this event is truly a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

To ensure safe viewing of the solar eclipse, McMaster University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has generously provided certified eclipse glasses to public libraries in Norfolk and Brantford-Brant. This initiative aims to allow residents to witness the eclipse safely and enjoy the rare event.

McMaster assistant professor Robert Cockcroft, director of the William J. McCallion Planetarium in Hamilton, expressed the significance of this event, stating, ‘Having a solar eclipse come to you is such an infrequent event. We’ll be talking about this for a long time after the eclipse. This will be one of those ‘where were you when’ moments.’

The path of totality, a narrow band about 100 kilometers wide, stretches from southwest to northeast, encompassing Norfolk and Brantford. Areas within this path will experience the total solar eclipse when the moon completely blocks the sun for a brief period.

The eclipse is set to begin with a partial phase at 2:02 p.m. on April 8, gradually transitioning into totality. Data provided by The Eclipse Company website indicates that Simcoe will experience totality lasting two minutes and 58 seconds, starting at 3:16:50 p.m. Port Rowan will witness totality beginning at 3:16:20 p.m. and lasting three minutes and 23 seconds, while Port Dover will experience totality for three minutes and 14 seconds.

To ensure widespread access to safe viewing, certified eclipse glasses will be available at no cost from all Norfolk County Public Library branches starting March 11. It’s important to note that quantities are limited, with only one pair provided per person. Similarly, County of Brant Public Library branches are distributing the glasses while supplies last.