Incredible turnout for the Partial Solar Eclipse~
About 700 people showed up to witness the Partial Solar Eclipse of the Sun at Irving Nature Park and Rockwood Park Bark Park on August 21. What a show! In addition to the Eclipse, the Sun put on quite a display with numerous sunspots.
Special Eclipse Edition of the Horizon Newsletter~
A great recap of the August 21 eclipse is captured in a special Eclipse Edition of the RASC NB newsletter Horizon. It includes experiences from all across the Province plus some members who were lucky enough to go to the States. By Curt Nason. Good stuff.
The Scene at Rockwood and Irving Nature Parks~
Members and guests of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, RASC.NB, and the Saint John Astronomy Club observed the Moon passing in front of the Sun through safely filtered telescopes and glasses. Despite running out of eclipse viewers, between the 15 telescopes and binoculars we were able to give everyone a chance to view the Eclipse in varying stages.
Above~ Rockwood Park Bark Park. Below~ Irving Nature Park.
Astronomer Chris Curwin (under the umbrella at the scopes) doing a Facebook Live Feed via Astronomy by the Bay. Over 24,000 viewers from all across Canada, over 300 shares! From right here beside the Bay of Fundy. Wow!
Chris Curwin from Astronomy by the Bay quietly doing his narrative on a Facebook Live Feed towards the end of the Eclipse. Two scopes set up, the one on the right is a special “dedicated” solar telescope with a Hydrogen-Alpha filter. One on the left is a regular telescope with Baader Solar Filter Film (Sun appears as white) covering the opening. You can view his interview with Radio 94.1fm here.
Photos~
The Eclipse, as photographed by Paul Owen at Rockwood Bark Park.
For many of the people looking through scopes or binoculars at the events, the Eclipse appeared similar to the above photo taken by David McCashion of the Saint John Astronomy Club. This is because the protective filter over the scope makes the Sun appear as white.
Below~ a composite photo by Patty Maillet of the Saint John Astronomy Club.
The Partial Solar Eclipse , as explained by Curt Nason~
On the afternoon of August 21 more than half the Sun will disappear over New Brunswick. Don’t be alarmed, but be safe. Join local members and guests of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in observing the Moon pass in front of the Sun through safely filtered telescopes.
We will be set up at two locations in Saint John: Irving Nature Park (above the Interpretative Shelter) and Rockwood Park Bark Park (Fisher Lakes entrance). This is the best partial solar eclipse for our area in the past 18 years.
The eclipse begins at 2:37 pm, reaches maximum eclipse at 3:49 when 59% of the Sun is covered, and it ends at 4:56 pm. With luck we might see sunspots and prominences on the Sun through the filtered telescopes. Special eclipse viewers will be available to watch the event safely with just your eyes, courtesy of the RASC. Do not observe the eclipse without proper eye protection!
What is an Eclipse?
Click the pic to open a short pdf by Curt Nason about solar eclipses, and some information about the Moon which causes the eclipse in the first place.
Our Canadian view of the Partial Solar Eclipse~
Above photo (click to enlarge) courtesy Canadian Space Agency.
Other Interesting Information~
Click the pic above to take you to a short pdf presentation by Saint John astronomer Mike Powell about the Sun. Good stuff.
Above~Mike Powell’s IBRT (Itty Bitty Radio Telescope), cobbled together from various electronic parts.
Below~ an infrared shot of Mike listening to the Sun’s activity at a Star Party in Fundy National Park with his IBRT setup. FYI–he also listens to Jupiter, which you can check out here in a short pdf called Radio Jupiter. 
Questions? (you are encouraged to ask them) Email Curt Nason.
Media~
Above~ click to read Chris Curwin’s interview with 94.1fm
Event: Partial Eclipse of the Sun
Date: Monday, August 21, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Locations for Observing: Irving Nature Park & Rockwood Bark Park
Facebook Event: Partial Eclipse of the Sun
Other Links: RASC Solar Eclipse 2017, NASA Eclipse Main Site
RASC.NB~ Viewing in Moncton at Riverview
Astronomy Moncton~ Moncton High School Observatory
Where to view the Eclipse in Canada (courtesy CBC News).
Where can one purchase those glasses to watch the eclipse at in saint john?
Thanks
Hi Jamie–
We will have them for free, courtesy of the RASC, to hand out at Irving Nature Park and the Rockwood Bark Park. If you are trying to buy them ahead of time so you can watch somewhere else, Best Buy was stocking some for $2.99, but I can’t confirm that as of this moment. Will post here when I know more.
Thanks, Jim
Hi Jamie– Follow up.
Word is– Walmart or Best Buy *may* have them, best I can do on that. They were recalled from Amazon due to cheap knockoffs.
However, Chris Curwin from Astronomy by the Bay is set up down at Saints Rest Beach on most clear evenings. He can give you a pair, just confirm on his FB page (Astronomy by the Bay) that he will be there, he posts when he is going.
Or, you can also email Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca. He will make sure you get a pair if you can’t attend our events.
Thanks, Jim
Hi,
Best Buy definitely have them, can’t remember the price though.
Hi June– Mike Powell checked them out online, none available at the Saint John Best Buy store according to their website. They may have them at the counter and they just aren’t listed, but no way to know without going there in person. My attempts to get through by phone have been fruitless. Thanks, Jim
Hi what time would you have to be at rock wood park to receive a pair of the glasses thanks
Sorry Crystal– Didn’t see this till the next day. We had already left. Hope you got some.