Technology came in for the win at the Centre of the Universe in Saanich, where folks watched the April 8 solar eclipse B次元官网网址� more than once.
B次元官网网址淭oday in Victoria we had a partial eclipse of the sun, the moon covered 28 per cent of the sunB次元官网网址檚 surface unfortunately the clouds covered 100 per cent of the sky. So we really didnB次元官网网址檛 see anything here in Victoria,B次元官网网址� explained Dennis Crabtree, director emeritus of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Saanich.
Perched high above West Saanich Road, the observatory operates two research telescopes, nearby, the Centre of the Universe hosts regular star parties and skywatching education.
For the eclipse, that meant streaming clear eclipses as they passed over eastern North America and showing them in the planetarium.
Using technology, the livestream followed the eclipse including clear skies in places such as Mexico and Arkansas.
B次元官网网址淎nd weB次元官网网址檝e seen totality where the moon passes right in front of the sun,B次元官网网址� Crabtree said. B次元官网网址淭he path of totality is only 80 miles wide or so is itB次元官网网址檚 this little path that goes sweeping across the earth at about 1400 miles per hour and if youB次元官网网址檙e lucky enough to be on that path you have a chance of experiencing totality.B次元官网网址�
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The moon is 400 times closer to the earth than the sun, and though the sun is 400 times bigger, they appear to be the same size in the sky, causing eclipses. TheyB次元官网网址檙e uncommon, occurring every 18 months or so.
While folks expected they wouldnB次元官网网址檛 see the real deal, they came calling on the experts at the Centre of the Universe.
B次元官网网址淲e had to close the hill. It was a zoo basically,B次元官网网址� Crabtree said. B次元官网网址淚 was prepared for it to be clear, but expecting it to be cloudy.B次元官网网址�
He has personally experienced two total eclipses with clear skies. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e amazing. ItB次元官网网址檚 just luck, and being in the right place at the right time. But the weather will do what it does.B次元官网网址�
Star parties happen once a month at the Centre of the Universe, visit to learn more.
B次元官网网址淲e have lots of stuff going on even if itB次元官网网址檚 cloudy. We give a tour of the 100-year-old Plaskett telescope, we have a planetarium inside the Centre of the Universe, we give talks, we have all kinds of great displays.B次元官网网址�
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