TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE – APRIL 8, 2024

 

The 2024 solar eclipse animation

Watch the 2024 solar eclipse (live stream)

A TOTALLY HISTORIC EVENT

The City of Cornwall will be in the ‘path of totality’ for a rare solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The next is not expected for another 80+ years.  

 Eclipse timing

 On April 8th, at approximately 3:24pm, darkness will fall over our area for three minutes.

 

Time table
TimeEventDirectionAltitude
14:12:33 Partial eclipse begins  
15:24:58 Totality begins    
15:26:06 Maximum eclipse  
  
15:27:14 Totality ends   
 
16:35:58 Partial eclipse ends    

 What a total solar eclipse looks like
 

While this is a spectacular celestial event, it comes with risk.

During total darkness - and immediately before and after - looking at the sun can damage your eyesight – perhaps permanently. Proper eye protection is crucial.

 

(EYE) SAFETY FIRST

Safe solar viewing requires more than plain old sunglasses.

Without proper protection, even just a few seconds of direct exposure to the sun during an eclipse can lead to permanent damage, even blindness.

If you’re shopping for proper eye protection, look for items that are ISO 12312-2 certified.

The City of Cornwall has limited quantities of ISO-certified eyewear for sale (at cost) at:

  • Aquatic Centre
  • Benson Centre
  • Visitor Information Centre (open April 8th only)

Safe, certified eyewear may also be available online. We advise that you only purchase ISO-certified eyewear from reputable sources. The Royal Astronomical Society offers this list of sources.

We have approximately 300 glasses available for pre-sale and will have approximately 1,200 available on Monday to sell at the visitors center.

 Additional Resources 

 City of Cornwall Emergency Management Plan for April 8

Total solar eclipses do not produce solar flares of any kind. No interruptions to cellular or electrical networks are expected. 

 

That said, emergency officials do recommend that households prepare with 72 hours’ worth of food and supplies, including gasoline for your vehicle(s).

 

This event may attract curious visitors to Cornwall – perhaps in large numbers. To guard against shortages of any kind, get your supplies early.

 

Traffic flows may also be affected or change. Please follow all signage and directions from frontline emergency personnel. Monitor local media and City of Cornwall communications channels for the latest updates and information.

 

CELEBRATING SAFELY IN PUBLIC

Lamoureux Park Event

map

 

Eclipse Party in the Park: April 8, 11-4pm

A rare event deserves to be celebrated. And Lamoureux Park offers unobstructed sky views and ample parking. 

  • Live music by 'Brothers Unplugged' featuring Rodney Rivette, Marc Muir, and Eddie Lauzon will be performed at the Lion's Club Bandshell from 12:00 - 1:00 pm.
  • DJ Rockstar Party will be spinning tunes from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Lion's Club Bandshell.
  • Inflatables for children available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
  • Drum Circle from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
  • Food trucks will offer bites you can buy. One truck will be located at the Splashpad and another at Lamoureux Park.
  • Bring your lawn chair and safety eyewear.
  • Parking and washrooms will be open.  (Civic Complex, 100 Water St. E.) (Complexe civique, 100, rue Water est)

*Limited quantities of certified eyewear will be available for purchase at the Visitor Information Centre, which is opening for the day.

 Getting to and from

Lamoureux Park - Google Maps

If the skies are clear and the weather is nice, there could be thousands upon thousands of people looking to mark this occasion at events like the one in Lamoureux Park. (Directions from various highways below.) 

 

Leave lots of time to get where you're going. Pack your patience. Don't block intersections. Obey all traffic laws and police directions. Use your GPS for real-time navigational advice. Monitor local media for updates. 

 

 From Highway 401 (east or west bound)

Take exit 789. Head south on Brookdale Avenue South (following signs for Brookdale Avenue S/Pont-Etats-Unis/Cornwall/Centre-Ville/Downtown) for 3.6km. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Brookdale Ave heading to Downtown/Bridge to USA. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Brookdale Ave heading to Downtown/Bridge to USA. After 1.5km, use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Water St W. After 1.4km, turn right onto Centre Park St. Park in the Civic Complex parking lot and make your way to the Bandshell.
 From Highway 417 (east or west bound)
Take exit 58 toward Moose Creek/Monkland/Cornwall. Continue on highway 138 southbound for 33.8km. Turn right onto Cornwall Centre Rd/ON-138 S (signs for ON-401). Turn left onto Brookdale Avenue South (signs for ON-401). After 4.5km, at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Brookdale Ave heading to Downtown/Bridge to USA. After 1.5km, use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Water St W. After 1.4km,  turn right onto Centre Park St. Park in the Civic Complex parking lot and make your way to the Bandshell.
 From Highway 2 (Long Sault, Ingleside, Morrisburg)
Take highway 2 eastbound toward Cornwall where it becomes Vincent Massey Drive. At the Seaway Shopping Centre/Shoppers Drug Mart/Starbucks, merge right onto Brookdale Avenue South. Continue straight onto Brookdale Ave (signs for County Road 2) for 750m. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Brookdale Ave heading to Downtown/Bridge to USA. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Water StW. After1.4km,  turn right onto Centre Park St. Park in the Civic Complex parking lot and make your way to the Bandshell.

Please note: Alternate north-south arterial roads that run parallel to Brookdale Avenue include Power Dam Drive in the west, Pitt Street in the centre, and McConnell Avenue and Boundary Road to the east. All four lead to the waterfront. Obey all parking restrictions. 

 

Please also note: The  Seaway International Bridge Corporation (sibc.ca) has advised they will be closing the bridge over the South Channel (between the United States and Cornwall Island) just before and during totality. The span over the North Channel (between Cornwall Island and the City of Cornwall) will remain open to ensure emergency vehicle access to / from the Island.   

PD Day Programming

The kids have the day off school. Make eclipse day even more memorable with a family outing to one of Cornwall’s top-notch recreational facilities.

Around Town and in the Counties

The surrounding counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry are getting into the spirit for eclipse day as well. Be sure to visit the SD&G website for details.

To celebrate this history-in-the-making, two of SLPC’s historic sites, Fort Henry and Upper Canada Village will host family-friendly eclipse viewing opportunities.

Supporting Local Businesses

Cornwall is home to thriving local businesses – including some of the best pizza you’ll find anywhere. Be sure to support local if you’re visiting from away.

Whether it’s eclipse day or anytime, check out Cornwall Tourism  for great ideas on how to make the most of any visit.

Safety For All

If you intend to be outside at the time of the eclipse, we encourage you to invest in ISO-certified safety eyewear and to follow experts’ advice to avoid looking directly at the sun, if possible.

Roadways are not parking lots. Cornwall Police and Bylaw and Ontario Provincial Police officers will be doing their part to keep roads and highways clear of parked vehicles before and during the eclipse.

 

CELEBRATING SAFELY AT HOME

There are plenty of fun, family-friendly ways to mark the eclipse safely and make the day memorable for all the right reasons.

 Eclipse home parties

Your backyard could be your best friend on eclipse day. (Just make sure everyone outside has proper eye safety protection!)

 

Or watch via webcam. Log on starting at 2pm April 8: 

LIVE Stream: Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024

Total Solar Eclipse (Great North American) - April 8, 2024

 

Make our specially curated Spotify playlist  the soundtrack to your celebration.

 

KEEPING IT SAFE AND FUN

Monitor local media over the coming weeks and on the day of for the latest information and any emergency messages. Please help us spread the word with your families, friends, and neighbours.

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