Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE

Sun chasers flock to Thompson Rivers University to view solar eclipse

Oct 14, 2023 | 3:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Armed with coffee and special glasses, more than 50 astronomy buffs gathered at the International Building at Thompson Rivers University to catch a rare celestial sight.

“We’re up at the observatory this morning to watch the partial solar eclipse,” Kieren O’Neil, Vice-President of the TRUSU Physics Club explains. “This is the best eclipse we’ve had visible in Kamloops since 2017. It’s the most coverage we will get until 2029, so this is a pretty rare and exciting event that we’re up here to watch. This is an excellent event for solar science and astronomy in general.”

While conditions weren’t ideal for viewing the eclipse, those who attended did get a few good looks at the moon crossing in front of the sun.

“Pretty neat,” one student exclaimed. “It’s impressive,” says another. “When it was clear, for like a second, it was really good,” says a third student.

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There were some folks with cameras pointed toward the event, trying to snap that perfect picture.“That one,” one photographer says, displaying a photo of the eclipse. “Once I clean it up, it’s probably going to be the best one.”

The photographer also noticed something interesting on the surface of the sun in one picture.

“The faint black dot, that’s actually a solar spot,” he explained, as he zoomed in on the Sun in the image. “That’s a cool spot on the surface of the sun. It’s cool that we actually got to see it. You usually can’t see them with the naked eye.”

If you did happen to star directly at the eclipse, well, that probably wasn’t the best idea. However, you weren’t alone.

“It was like, forgetting not to look directly at it,” one of the students remarked. “Or taking off your glasses too soon,” another says.

Hopefully, if you did take a peek at the eclipse, you were armed with the proper eyewear.

“These lovely eclipse glasses will not only make you look very cool, but they’re strong enough eye protection you can look at the sun and see the moon covering it, without damaging your eyes,” O’Neil explains.

If you didn’t have the special eclipse glasses but looked anyway? Well, that persistent spot on your vision will be a constant reminder of the October 14th, 2023 solar eclipse.