Ottawa Public Library to provide free solar eclipse glasses for residents
The Ottawa Public Library will be providing free solar eclipse glasses to residents in anticipation of a partial solar eclipse on April 8.
While supplies last, the glasses that provide proper protection for eclipse viewing will include a printed handout with safety instructions. Glasses are limited to two per household.
The City of Ottawa says it will launch the initiative on Thursday, March 28. All library branches will have total solar eclipse glasses available for the public, starting when branches open on Thursday.
Officials say quantities of glasses are limited, so branches will run out before April 8.
A memo sent to the mayor and councillors on Wednesday says city staff are preparing for the rare solar event.
The city says it will not be hosting any solar eclipse viewing parties, as it will not be in the path of totality, where the moon will cover the entirety of the sun.
"Weather permitting, and while taking proper safety precautions, residents will be able to see the sun’s outer atmosphere, which is usually hidden by the bright face of the sun, and the sky will become dark, as if it were dawn or dusk," said the memo written by Kim Ayotte, the city's general manager of emergency and protective services.
A partial solar eclipse can only be viewed with special-purpose solar filters or "solar eclipse glasses" that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Viewing a partial solar eclipse without proper protection can cause eye damage or blindness.
Homemade eclipse glasses are not recommended and wearing regular sunglasses does not provide a sufficient level of protection, the city says.
The partial eclipse in Ottawa will begin on Monday, April 8 at 2:10 p.m. and end at 4:35 p.m. The darkest part of the partial eclipse will only last a few minutes at 3:25 p.m. The moon is expected to cover 98.87 per cent of the sun.
Eastern Ontario cities such as Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall will experience a total solar eclipse, where the entirety of the moon will cover the sun for several minutes. Solar glasses can only be removed during a total solar ellipse.
Over half a million people are expected in the city of Kingston to view the total solar eclipse. Queen's University and the Brockville Aquatarium will be distributing thousands of solar eclipse glasses.
Ayotte says city services will continue as normal with a number of safety precautions.
"City staff will be following workplace safety guidance, such as moving to indoor programming for school-aged children or re-scheduling non-urgent outdoor work to avoid the approximate 2 p.m to 5 p.m window of the partial eclipse in Ottawa," Ayotte said.
Ayotte says residents may want to adjust their activities on April 8 to avoid temptation to have a quick glance at the sun without the use of a protective filter.
Ottawa Public Health has developed a special page on their website with health and safety recommendations for residents, as well as links to additional information.
CTV News Ottawa will have special live coverage of Monday's solar eclipse.
Watch CTVNewsOttawa.ca from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 8. You can also tune in to Newstalk 580 CFRA for continuing coverage.
CTV News will have coverage from Kingston, Brockville, Ottawa and the Niagara Region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.