Dear Queen’s Community,
As you may know, a total solar eclipse will take place the afternoon of Monday, April 8th. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of us lucky enough to be in Kingston as the city is in its direct path and will provide the perfect opportunity to fully view the eclipse. The last fully visible eclipse at this geographical location occurred in 1349 and the next one will not take place until 2399. The full effect (totality) of the eclipse will last for over three minutes between 3:22 and 3:25 pm.
Preparation for this big event has been underway since 2022. A team with representatives from the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics, & Astronomy has been leading various initiatives and outreach about this eclipse through workshops in over 80 local schools and other community sites.
Alongside our faculty team, many of our colleagues across the university, as well as several community partners, have been involved with the planning for this special day. A group of over 100 eclipse ambassadors has also been recruited. These volunteers include Queen’s students, faculty, and staff. Over the last few months, there have been a number of eclipse-focused research features and campus updates as part of a Total Solar Eclipse series in the Queen’s Gazette and our researcher experts are appearing in regional and national media almost daily.
To ensure all our members are able to experience the eclipse and to do so safely, my office is providing the Queen’s community with 120,000 certified eclipse glasses. The glasses are available to students, faculty, and staff at no cost, beginning today, Monday, March 25th. To get your glasses, simply show your Queen’s ID at one of various locations on campus while supplies last. Students residing in Queen’s residences will have access to glasses through their residence dons.
We have also partnered with Kingston Frontenac Public Library to offer free glasses to the community through library branches. Queen’s glasses have been distributed to local school boards for all students and staff, and also to many other local organizations, including some who support vulnerable populations.
This is a wonderful community opportunity and I am very proud of the members of our university who are working closely with local residents to educate and inform so many about this truly extraordinary event. That being said, it is important that everyone be aware of how to view the eclipse safely. Given the location of Kingston directly on eclipse’s path, it is expected that as many as 500,000 people will visit to Kingston to view the eclipse. This means heavy vehicle and foot traffic. The Queen’s eclipse website has comprehensive information on the events of the day and how to view the eclipse safely. Please visit the website for additional information.
The City of Kingston has organized viewing events at multiple sites in Kingston and at Grass Creek Park, and school boards have rescheduled a planned professional activity day to April 8th to avoid the anticipated traffic. Numerous offices and businesses in the city will be closed and the city is encouraging all residents of Kingston to view the eclipse close to where they live to minimize the amount of traffic and ensure access to the hospitals and other emergency services.
April 8th is the last day of classes and they will continue as planned. Instructors will be making their own decisions about how they wish to conduct their classes. For staff, if you are able to work remotely, you may wish to do so. Please speak to your manager concerning your workplace arrangements.
For students, faculty, and staff that are on or near campus on April 8th, we have arranged for Tindall Field and parking lot to be the on-campus viewing location for the Queen’s community. Please join the eclipse ambassadors who will be on-site from 1 to 5 pm to guide your viewing experience, point out phenomena such as the Diamond Ring Effect and Bailey’s Beads, and answer questions.
During totality, we can expect to experience near-night conditions and the effects of the eclipse such as cooler temperatures, distinctive shadows, and unusual animal behaviour. Many of these effects will happen even in overcast conditions.
Tindall parking lot will be closed beginning on Friday, April 5th at 5 pm and reopen Tuesday, April 9th. Surface lot permit holders will receive communications regarding alternative parking options.
I hope that wherever you are on the 8th, you are safe and thoroughly enjoy what is sure to be an amazing experience. The eclipse has enabled us to showcase some of our exciting research happening at this institution and to engage with the local community in new ways. I want to reiterate how extremely proud I am of everyone’s efforts. Finally, my sincere thanks to all who are contributing to the planning, communications, and outreach for April 8th, especially the team in the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy. For more information, resources, and updates on activities, including an educational brochure, please visit the Queen’s eclipse website.
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Patrick Deane
Principal and Vice-Chancellor