Partial solar eclipse to be visible across Newfoundland and Labrador Wednesday

Image: NASA

People across Newfoundland and Labrador will have the chance to see the Moon pass in front of the Sun on Wednesday afternoon, weather permitting, as a partial solar eclipse takes place.

The Aug. 12 eclipse will be visible across the province, although the amount of the Sun covered will vary depending on location.

In St. John's, the eclipse will begin at 2:28 p.m., reach its maximum at 3:35 p.m. and end at 4:37 p.m. local time. At its peak, about 62 per cent of the Sun's diameter will be obscured.

The event is part of a total solar eclipse, but totality will not be visible from Newfoundland and Labrador. The path of totality will instead cross areas including Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain.

The eclipse will be one of the more significant astronomical events visible from the province this year, with the Moon covering more than half of the Sun in the St. John's area at maximum eclipse.

Viewing conditions will depend on cloud cover at the time of the eclipse.

Anyone watching the event should use proper solar viewing glasses or another approved solar viewing method. Looking directly at the Sun can cause serious eye damage, including during a partial eclipse.