The stars will align for an astronomical decades in the making today.
While the west coast’s best view will be in Oregon, here are five things to know if you’d rather watch the solar eclipse from the comfort of your backyard:
Victoria gets Canada’s best glimpse
Eclipse fever is gripping Vancouver Island and beyond, and those wanting a good seat to the rare phenomenon need look no further than Victoria.
While it’s not in the direct “path of totality” of the eclipse, experts say B.C.’s capital has the best view in all of Canada.
“We’re in the best spot of all of Canada right here,” said Ken Mallory of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Eclipse’s peak visible at 10:20 a.m.
The entire event lasts more than two hours, kicking off just before 9:10 a.m. Monday morning.
The moon will slowly creep in front of the sun until it achieves its maximum coverage at 10:20 a.m.
It will then finally leave the sun’s edge at about 11:37 a.m.
Where to view it
The University of Victoria Observatory is hosting an open house to view the eclipse from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Special solar telescopes will project the sun onto a small white screen for safe viewing.
But for those who can’t help but look, eclipse glasses will be provided for the public, and there’s no charge for the event.
Anyone who wants to witness the incredible event in nature can also attend a viewing party at Mount Tolmie, hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society.
CTV Vancouver Island will also be livestreaming the UVic Observatory event for those who can’t get out of work or are stuck in another part of the world.
Moon falls just short of fully eclipsing the sun – but it’ll still be dark
While those in the “path of totality” in the U.S. will see the sun completely eclipsed by the moon, in Victoria, only about 90 to 92 per cent of the sun will be covered at the eclipse’s peak.
Still, that’s better than anywhere else in the country.
It’s slightly better than Vancouver, which will only see about 86 per cent coverage, and far better than Toronto, which will see only about 70 per cent of the sun covered.
“You’ll notice a significant decrease in light. You may notice no birds, they’ve gone away to roost. You may notice no insects,” said Mallory.
So not quite Armageddon, but police are still warning drivers to have working headlights and reminding them they might not be able to see pedestrians at the eclipse’s peak.
Don’t look directly at it!
This should be common knowledge by now, but experts are still urging the public not to look at the eclipse without some sort of protection.
“The retina, which is the very delicate nerve layer in the back of the eye which collects light, can be damaged. It can actually be burned by the radiation from the sun,” said Dr. Amaka Eneh of Victoria Eye.
Eclipse-goers can use special eclipse sunglasses to protect their eyes, but with those sold out all over the country, you could also go “old-school” by making a pinhole camera.
Whatever you do, make sure to get out and witness this rare phenomenon, because it’ll be 28 years until the next eclipse occurs in this part of the world.
