Queen’s is helping everyone get ready for the solar eclipse.
For the first time since 1349, Kingston will experience a total solar eclipse on April 8 from 3:22 to 3:25 p.m. In collaboration with the City of Kingston, Queen’s is preparing students and local residents to safely experience the eclipse by distributing eclipse-safe glasses and holding in-person educational events.
The Queen’s Eclipse Task Force began preparing for this moment over two years ago.
“I think this is right on the mandate of what Queen’s needs to be as a University, not just educating our students, but educating and protecting the whole public,” Robert Knobel, head of the department of physics engineering and physics astronomy, said in an interview with The Journal.
Kingston is expecting 500,000 visitors to experience the phenomenon. Knobel predicts people will go “bonkers.”
“It’s like the Queen’s basketball team getting that buzzer-beater,” Knobel said, referencing the recent Gaels basketball win. “That’s [the effect] I’m hoping we will have, but for astronomy.”
Hundreds of Queen’s volunteers hosted eclipse educational sessions in schools and distributed 120,000 certified eclipse glasses to students and Kingston residents, relying on financial support from the Principal’s Office. Kingston residents flocked to public libraries to pick up a pair of glasses, Knobel said.
On Monday, volunteers will be stationed across the city at viewing locations to hand out extra glasses and ensure the community is safe. Knobel warns looking directly into the sun’s rays, even when it appears covered during the eclipse, can permanently damage eyes. Looking through cameras, even with eclipse glasses on, concentrates the sun’s rays and can cause injury.
For Knobel, the eclipse is an opportunity for Queen’s to engage with the Kingston community in a way which benefits everyone.
“There’s lots of cool things about the eclipse, but one of the cool things is that you don’t need a fancy telescope, you don’t need a fancy camera [to enjoy it],” Knobel said.
The task force distributed glasses to community organizations for unhoused individuals, residents in retirement homes, and to reach people with mental and physical disabilities. Apps to make the eclipse accessible for blind and low-vision communities are listed on the Queen’s eclipse website. The apps translate the visual experience of the eclipse into sounds and phone vibrations to create an experience for those who can’t see it happen.
The City is offering free public transport on the day of the eclipse so residents and visitors can attend designated viewing areas. Tourism Kingston is promoting local activities, such as walking and bike tours, while the City is holding an event in Grass Creek Park with food and entertainment. Knobel hopes to see the Queen’s community enjoying the eclipse together on Tindall field Monday afternoon.
Tags
astronomy, community, eclipse, solar eclipse, tourism
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