Before looking up to the sky on April 8, a local astronomer urges residents to take safety precautions.
For the first time in over 200 years, parts of the region can witness a total solar eclipse. The sun will appear to be completely covered by the moon for a short time between 3:12 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Looking up at the eclipse directly is very dangerous.
"It can do damage to your retina of your eye where all the nerves are, because inside your eye, you have little lenses that help you to focus, and of course, those lenses act like little magnifying glasses. Even though a small amount of light is entering your eye through those lenses, just like a magnifying glass, they will concentrate light and intensify it," said Steven Pellarin, National Outreach Coordinator for the International Astronomical Union. "It could do damage to all of the nerves on the back of your eye, and perhaps even cause permanent damage."
It is important to wear proper eye protection with filters designed to look up at the sun. All eclipse glasses should have an ISO certification on them, and should be purchased from a trusted retailer.
The Windsor Centre, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is selling ISO-certified glasses for $2 a pair at various locations throughout Windsor and Essex County.
All proceeds from the glasses will go toward outreach programs by the local astronomy club.
Glasses are available for purchase at the University of Windsor information desk in the CAW Student Centre, at the Gaia Wellness Store in Blenheim, and the Richmond Popcorn Company in Amherstburg.
Pellarin will also be selling glasses at the Fogolar Furlan Centre on Wednesday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pellerin indicated with large crowds expected along Erie's north shore, road safety will also be a major concern on the day.
"Anybody else in Ontario is wanting to get into the zone of totality, so we're expecting very large crowds, lots of traffic, perhaps it's going to be difficult driving around in the southern part of the county after lunch on the day of the eclipse," said Pellarin.
Emergency services across the county are currently working on developing safety plans.
