Allan I. Carswell Observatory Archives - News@91��ɫ

March Madness in Toronto Skies: Lunar Eclipse and Saturn's Rings appear to disappear

egamulin — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:10:31 +0000

Director of 91��ɫ U’s Allan I Carswell Observatory available to speak to media on astronomical events

TORONTO, Mar. 11, 2025 – This month, the Allan I Carswell Observatory at 91��ɫ is looking forward to not one but two special celestial events. Director Elaina Hyde is available to speak to media on the significance of these events, best times and places for viewing and public viewing opportunities. The observatory also invites members of the public to join them for their Wednesday night viewing sessions.

Thursday March 13: Total Lunar eclipse, visible across Canada

Eclipses on Earth come in two main sorts, lunar and solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon moves into Earth's shadow: Sun-Earth-Moon. Starting on March 13 just before midnight going into the 14th, a total lunar eclipse will occur and will be visible across the entire country.

“This lunar eclipse is truly an event for everyone,” says Hyde, also an associate professor in the Faculty of Science, Physics and Astronomy department. “Since this eclipse is a large event, covering the entire moon, it does not need any special equipment to be able to see it – you can view it nearly anywhere if the skies are clear, However, you will always get a better show if you can get out to a park or dark sky site.”

The Observatory will be posting images from across Ontario, , clear skies permitting.

Sunday March 23: The disappearing and reappearing rings of Saturn

In an event called a “ring plane crossing” Saturn's famous rings, one of the most popular views in all of astronomy, will appear to disappear starting on March 23. “Saturn's rings are very thin compared to the planet itself,” explains Hyde. “The rings will be very close to exactly aligned to Earth in an 'edge on' position, since both Earth and Saturn have a tilt to their planetary axis.”

Hyde says the rings will slowly start to become visible again in April.

Hyde is available to speak on:

Lunar versus solar eclipses
The relative rarity of these cosmic events, how and where to view them
Safety tips
What astronomers will be looking out for
Why scientists believe Saturn’s rings really will disappear one day

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About 91��ɫ:

91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. 91��ɫ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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June’s strawberry full moon will light up southern Ontario skies a day after the summer solstice. Catch it while you can as it’s on its fastest orbit of the year

egamulin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:07:17 +0000

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Safe solar and eclipse viewing tips and tricks ahead of the main event

sandramc — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

TORONTO, March 7, 2024 – Your mother probably told you to never look at the Sun or you would go blind, but that is particularly true when it comes to the upcoming solar eclipse, says Elaina Hyde, director of 91��ɫ’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory.

Hyde, an assistant professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science, is available for media interviews in the lead up to the eclipse to talk about what an eclipse is and how to safely view it.

Although it will only be a partial eclipse in Toronto, 99.6 per cent, it is still strong enough to cause eye damage, even blindness, if anyone looks directly at it, adds Hyde, an assistant professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science.

For those wanting the full experience, the total eclipse will be viewable in other areas of Ontario – Niagara Falls, Hamilton and St. Catharines. In Toronto (timing varies depending on location), the partial solar eclipse will at 2:04 p.m. and end at 4:31 p.m. on April 8 with the maximum at 3:19 p.m.

“People, especially young children, may be tempted to look up during the eclipse, but it’s not safe to do so without proper protection,” says Hyde. “And, sunglasses are definitely not protective and shouldn’t be used when viewing the eclipse, but there are safe ways to do it.”

How do you look at the eclipse safely? Use solar viewing glasses, a pin hole camera or special solar filters on a telescope or binoculars.

A solar eclipse, which is fairly rare, is when the moon casts its shadow on the Earth. It is different from a lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon moves into Earth’s shadow.

About 91��ɫ

Media Contact: Sandra McLean, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

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Brightest, largest super pink moon of the year this week

roshanp — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:43:17 +0000

TORONTO, Monday, April 6, 2020 – Getting tired of staring at four walls? This week you can gaze out the window or up from your backyard at the biggest and brightest moon you’ll see all year – a super pink moon, says 91��ɫ astronomy and physics Professor Paul Delaney.

It will be the closest to Earth when it rises on April 7 and become a full moon on April 8. Although it will still be 356,907 kilometres away, it’s closer than the average of 384,400 km.

“Eight and a half hours after it reaches its closest point (perigee) to Earth, the full moon on April 8 will indeed appear to be the largest and brightest full Moon in 2020,” says Delaney, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory in the Faculty of Science.

Don’t expect it to look pink though. As the first full moon of spring, it’s called a pink moon because of the pink wildflowers, creeping or moss phlox, that bloom each spring.

While you’re looking up, you may also see the International Space Station if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, Burlington or Pickering on Monday and Wednesday. ’s website, says “it will be the third brightest object in the sky” and look like a “fast-moving plane”.

Plenty of reasons to look up this week.

Delaney is available for interviews.

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91��ɫ champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91��ɫ students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91��ɫ U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91��ɫ is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. 91��ɫ U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

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