Astronomers are describing this as a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” as anticipation builds for the total solar eclipse on Monday. For the past few months, cities along the totality’s path have been bracing for an influx of visitors, but one group in particular has been getting ready for this moment for the past several years – and the moment is finally here.
With a name that sounds like it might have been borrowed from a science fiction universe, the Ontario Eclipse Task Force (OETF) is made up of scientists, educators and other leaders in the field of astronomy who have met once a month for more than a year to prepare for an event that will last only approximately three-and-a-half minutes.
“It’s really an unreal experience unlike any other,” described astrophysicist Dr. Ilana MacDonald of University of Toronto’s Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, who also chairs the OETF. “The sky becomes very, very dark. So as dark as it would be just right after sunset… and then temperature will go down considerably. Animals and birds and insects will start to act like it’s nighttime.”
Despite the years of preparation, one final question outside of the task force’s control remains… will there be cloud cover that obscures the eclipse’s visibility on the day of?
Global’s Katherine Cheng has more.
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The enthusiasm and energy in this community are infectious, sparking inspiration in every participant.?
Task Force?
Sound like more tax money being spent correctly.
God's Sun dies for 3 30 seconds?
Kind of like his son died at 33 years old.
If somebody riding a white horse comes riding out of that thing, I'm gonna plotz.
All the nocturnal animals will join you(confused?)???
Once in a lifetime, except I was seven when the last one occurred in 72.
Thanks for the upload, need to do lots to inspire next generation of science and math students
The guy who said "if nothing matters, we gotta do the best that we can" lol what an oxymoron of a statement.