On Monday, April 8, 2024, the moon will pass in front of the sun and cast its shadow onto millions of Canadians. The last time a total solar eclipse happened over Ontario was in 1979, and another one won’t happen again over the province until 2099. Kingston and Queen’s University is among of the locations in Canada which are in the path of totality and is positioned to experience optimal visibility.

Queen’s University experts are available to speak to media about the following topics: 

• Science of an eclipse: What is a total solar eclipse? How do they work? What will it look like? How long will it last? How do we predict eclipses? 
  -    Experts: Mark Richardson, Kristine Spekkens, Robert Knobel
   
• Eclipse safety: The importance of certified solar viewing glasses and other precautionary measures. Trusted resources for safe viewing and how to photograph an eclipse.
  -    Experts: Nikhil Arora, Robert Knobel
   
• Experiential learning: How space events and natural phenomena such as eclipses offer experiential learning without barriers. 
  -    Experts: Mark Richardson
   
• Astro-archaeology and the importance of eclipses: Looking at the impact of eclipses in how we understand time and how we date astrological events. Current research into other eclipsing systems.
  -    Experts: Sarah Sadavoy
  
  To arrange an interview, please contact Media Relations Officer Mitchell Fox (343-363-1794) or Mitchell.Fox@queensu.ca at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada