What’s happening on Monday?

On Monday, the moon will block the light of the sun and temporarily darken the sky, causing what’s known as a solar eclipse. 

Interactive illustration by Alexa DiFrancesco

But there is no special science behind solar eclipses, according to Nikhil Arora, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University. 

“Solar eclipses are cosmic coincidences,” Arora said, that happen whenever the sun, moon and the Earth line up. “It just so happens that we have a moon that is big enough, and just far enough away from us that it can completely cover up the sun for us.”

Solar eclipses happen across the Earth twice a year, according to Sarah Gallagher, a physics and astronomy professor at Western University. 

However, “if you’re talking about a specific location on Earth, they’re much less frequent,” she said. 

Monday’s eclipse is receiving more attention as it falls over land areas where many people live, Gallagher said.

An almost total eclipse of the heart

In Toronto, the eclipse will begin at 2.05 p.m., and reach maximum coverage at about 3.20 p.m., according to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Torontonians can expect a partial solar eclipse, as 99 per cent of the sun will be covered, said Hanno Rein, an astrophysics professor at University of Toronto Scarborough. 

As one per cent of the sunlight will slip through, the sky won’t go completely dark in Toronto. 

The effect will still be dramatic, however, according to Rein. “You can’t really avoid this event… you will notice that it suddenly gets very dark during the middle of the day.” 

How and where do I watch the solar eclipse?

Monday’s event has prompted doctors to warn the public against looking at the eclipse without protection, as that can cause permanent eye damage. 

Toronto City Council is advising the public to use safety glasses specifically made for eclipse viewing.  

It does not matter where you watch the eclipse, as long as you can see the sky, said Gallagher. 

“In Toronto, there’s lots of tall buildings, so you have to make sure you’re somewhere where you have a clear view of where the sun is,” she said. 

Wildlife enthusiasts may also be interested to check out how animals are behaving during the event.

Some animals behave differently once solar eclipses begin, according to Arora. “If you see bees, as soon as totality hits, these will drop to the ground,” he said. “They think it’s time for bed… If you have chickens or roosters around, they’ll start to prepare for the world’s shortest nap.”

Written By: Trent Weston

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow officially proclaimed March 22 as World Water Day in the city.

Chow’s words came to reinforce the city’s commitment to the 1993 United Nations internationally recognized World Water Day, which occurs on the same day.

The UN also released the 2024 World Water Development Report today, an annual report outlining the state of global water affairs. The document evaluates criteria including the world’s access to clean drinking water and sanitation services.

“As a water-rich country, we are privileged to have access to clean and abundant freshwater resources,” said Chow. “Toronto boasts some of the finest drinking water in the world, straight from our taps, thanks to the unwavering dedication of Toronto Water over the past 150 years.”

Toronto Water recently completed its Drinking Water Quality Management System audit, receiving a perfect score for the fourth consecutive time. This marks over a decade of perfect scores achieved by meeting provincial standards for drinking water quality.

Toronto is set to host the International Water Association’s World Water Congress and Exhibition. The global water industry event will take place from August 11 to 15.

Federally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the country’s water situation. “Water is our most precious natural resource. It keeps us healthy, helps grow our food, and fuels our economy,” he said.

Trudeau explained that climate change is a consistent threat to Canada’s freshwater supply, the fifth largest in the world.

From an international perspective, Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, notes in the report that the world is facing a water crisis. She notes a rise in floods and droughts and that half of the global population currently faces severe water scarcity.

“Let us state it clearly: this situation could bring about a systemic crisis in our societies,” said Azoulay. “If humanity goes thirsty, fundamental questions on education, health and sustainable development will be sidelined, eclipsed by the daily struggle for water.”

This year’s United Nations World Water Day theme, “Water for Peace,” calls on all nations and individuals to work together and ensure everyone has equitable access to water and sanitation. The report describes how “poverty and inequality, social tensions, and conflict can amplify water insecurity.”

The report highlights international cooperation as crucial to maintaining global water security. It includes proposals to enhance water education and data collection while increasing private investment in the management of water resources globally.

“Water bridges the gap between peace and prosperity,” said Maria Neira, UN director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. “On this World Water Day, let’s harness its power to foster global harmony and health. Safe water and sanitation are not just life-savers; they’re peacemakers in our quest for a healthier, more peaceful world.