Dorval Astronomers host top-line eclipse event

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Dorval Astronomers Club (DAC) in concert with the City of Dorval hosted a safe-viewing event of the once in a lifetime total eclipse that occurred on Monday April 8. Eclipse fans started walking into the parking lot at the Edgar Rouleaux arena on Dawson Avenue as early as 12:00 to get their certified safe sun-viewing glasses and find a seat.

Line ups to the telescopes set up by the DAC allowed viewers of all ages to see the sun throughout the event. Pedestals were made available for children who needed a boost up to the instruments to get a look at the celestial episode. “The city provided us with tents tables and power to set up our telescopes and let the public take a peak,” Luc Descoteaux member of the Dorval Astronomers Club told The Suburban.

Under a tent set up in the center of lot, attendees could also view the telescopic live feed of the sun in between views up to the sky using the safety glasses which they were advised to spend no more than four minutes at a time looking through. Gilbert St-Onges – founder of the Dorval Astronomers Club, remained stationed next to the live-feed telescope in order to ensure its functions throughout the event.

Medieval music set the tone for the earlier stages of the eclipse, followed by upbeat dance music throughout the second quarter. The music was stopped for the final 10 mins after the 80 per cent mark was announced on loudspeaker. Viewers marveled at the nearly blacked out sun as they anticipated the total eclipse.

For the 1 minute and 27 seconds of darkness the bright ring of the eclipse evoked gasps, awing and cheers from the crowd. “The corona (the sun’s atmosphere) is visible during the totality period and safe to look at with the naked eye. It is an emotional moment when this happens,” Descoteaux explained.

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