A total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, and Kingston will be inside its path of totality. This is a once-in-several-lifetimes event. The last total eclipse in Kingston took place in 1349, and the next will be in 2399.

Kingston is expected to experience high volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic from travelers arriving to view the eclipse. Consequently, many services like transit, roadways, cell phone service, and emergency services may experience extremely high demands. Public transit will be free, but passengers are likely to experience significant delays.

The City of Kingston, Queen’s, and many other community partners have plans in place to help mitigate some of these impacts and facilitate faculty, staff, and student opportunities to witness the eclipse.

Timing
Monday, April 8, 2024, 2:09 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. 
“Totality” will last 3 minutes, starting at 3:22 p.m. 

Free viewing glasses – protect your eyes
The Queen’s eclipse website has information on how to view the eclipse safely. Your eyes are delicate - do not look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection. Free ISO-certified eclipse glasses are being distributed on campus to students, faculty, and staff (one pair per person; Queen’s ID required). 

Note: Students residing in Queen’s residences will have access to glasses through their residence dons.

Queen’s pick-up locations (Queen's ID required):

•    Bracken Health Sciences Library – Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street
     See hours

•    Douglas Library – 93 University Avenue 
     Sun - Sat, 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

•    Duncan McArthur Hall – 511 Union Street 
     See hours

•    Human Resources – Fleming Hall, Stewart Pollock Wing, 78 Fifth Field Company Lane 
     Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

•    Joseph S. Stauffer Library – 101 Union Street 
     Sun - Sat, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.

•    Student Life Centre – first floor of the Queen’s Centre, 284 Earl Street 
     Sun – Sat, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

•    Student Wellness Services – Mitchell Hall, 69 Union Street 
     Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

•    The Miller Museum of Geology – Miller Hall, 36 Union Street 
     Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

For more information on Queen’s glasses distribution, see the campus update. 

Tindall Field is the on-campus viewing area
Tindall Field and the adjacent surface parking lot have been reserved for the use of Queen’s students, staff, and faculty only. 

Tindall surface parking lot will be closed beginning on Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. and re-open on Tuesday, April 9. Parking permit holders will receive communications regarding alternate options.  

Queen's eclipse ambassadors will be on-site from 1 – 5 p.m on April 8. to guide your viewing experience, to point out phenomena such as the Diamond Ring Effect and Bailey’s Beads, and answer questions.                            

No food, beverages, or chairs on Tindall Field
Campus food retail locations will be open on the day of the eclipse. Please note: no chairs, food, or beverages other than water are permitted on Tindall Field, as they can damage the playing surface. They are permitted in the adjacent Tindall parking lot. 

City viewing areas
City-sanctioned locations are available to the general public and a list of locations can be found on the City of Kingston’s eclipse website. 

Classes
Queen’s will remain open on April 8, as it is the last day of winter term classes. Decisions on instructional approaches and classes during the afternoon of April 8 rest within the faculties and schools.

Working remotely if possible is encouraged
Staff are encouraged to adopt flexible and remote arrangements where possible to allow Queen’s community members to experience the eclipse and help alleviate and avoid what may be significant traffic congestion.

For more information, resources, and updates on activities, including an educational brochure, be sure to check out the Total Solar Eclipse series in the Queen’s Gazette and visit the Queen’s eclipse website.

General safety
With large crowds expected, the community is reminded to be aware of their surroundings and secure offices and personal items if left unattended 

Please recycle
If you do not plan to keep your eclipse viewing glasses as a keepsake, please deposit unwanted glasses in the identified recycling locations for proper processing and recycling.  You can also remove the lenses and deposit the cardboard in any recycle bin.