'Feel your place in the cosmos,' during Monday's solar eclipse in Toronto

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For local astronomers and those curious about the cosmos, Monday’s solar eclipse is a once-in-a lifetime event.

Predicted to last from 2:04 p.m. to 4:31 p.m., Toronto’s skies will darken as the moon obscures 99.5% of the sun at the celestial event’s peak at 3:19 p.m.

The last time there was an eclipse in Ontario was in 1979 and the next one won’t be until 2099, said Daliah Bibas, the Ontario Science Centre’s astronomy and space sciences researcher-programmer.

“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event that is incredibly exciting to witness and makes you really feel your place in the cosmos,” said Bibas.

“Total solar eclipses happen somewhere on earth once every 18 months, but because the world is 75% water, those paths often lie in the middle of the ocean where people can’t see them. So when it happens over land, it is extremely exciting.”

So where will you be when it gets darker, colder and quieter?

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Bibas said among the solar eclipse viewing parties in Toronto are the Toronto Region Conservation Authority’s solar eclipse celebration at Tommy Thompson Park, located at 1 Leslie St., and at the Toronto Zoo, where animals will be observed.

“You can become a junior citizen scientist by helping the Toronto Zoo Welfare Science Team document what the animals do the day before, during, and the day after the solar eclipse,” said Bibas.

Bibas said during eclipses, birds think that it is dusk, meaning we can expect them to go quiet, return to their nests and begin their evening chirping. Nocturnal animals such as bats and owls can become more active, thinking that night has arrived.

“There also hasn’t been a lot of research on non-domesticated animals, so I know they’re keeping an eye on the wolves especially (at the zoo),” said Bibas.

As for cats or dogs, she added they don’t naturally look up at the sun, but you could see behavioural changes — even when they’re indoors where pets are being encouraged to stay.

“The domesticated animals might be confused or anxious due to the sudden darkness and temperature drop (between 5C to 8C),” said Bibas.

As for humans, as long as you have your ISO-approved eclipse shades on, you should be safe looking up.

“We’re encouraging people to watch from wherever they are as long as there is an open space with a clear view of the sun, whether it’s a park or a backyard or even a balcony,” said Bibas.

“As long as you have an open view of the sky and the sun, you can pretty much view it from anywhere. Even taking five minutes to go out and experience it during the day would be worth it.”