On Monday, April 8, 2024, much of southern Ontario will experience a total (or near-total) solar eclipse between approximately 2 - 4:30 p.m., with the peak occurring at 3:19 p.m. in Toronto. A solar eclipse is when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth for a short period of time. Some areas in southern Ontario will experience a full eclipse, but much of Ontario will experience a partial solar eclipse.

While this is an incredibly rare event that many of us are excited to experience, looking directly at the sun for any length of time is very hazardous to the eyes – it can impact your vision and cause permanent damage.

During the solar eclipse, keep these safety tips in mind to protect your eyes:

• Do not look directly at the sun.
• Do not use cameras, telescopes, or other optical or homemade devices to view the eclipse.
• Regular sunglasses will not provide adequate protection. If you would like to view the eclipse, only use proper solar eclipse viewing glasses/filters that comply with the international standard ISO 12312-2(2015).
• Consider other ways of experiencing the eclipse, such as through online streams. For example, NASA will be live streaming the event for free.

The peak of the eclipse will come with a few minutes of darkness. While the peak in Toronto is expected at 3:19 p.m., be sure to know what time of day the eclipse peak will occur in your area and be vigilant of your surroundings during this time.

For more information, please visit the City of Toronto’s Solar Eclipse Safety page.

Occupational Health & Safety Services