All eyes will be on the sky Monday as Londoners are treated to a partial solar eclipse.
Beginning at 1:06pm, the moon will start moving in front of the sun and at its peak, around 2:30pm in London, 75% of the sun will be covered. A total eclipse will be visible for those south of the border along a narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina.
"Solar eclipses are considered rare events by most people, astronomically speaking that is not entirely accurate," said Jan Cami, director of the Cronyn Observatory and a Professor of Astronomy at the Department of Physics and Astronomy."There is a total solar eclipses on average every 18 months. However they tend to be fairly localized. So to see a solar eclipse you need to be in the right spot at the right time. That's why most people don't get to see a lot of solar eclipses."
The last solar eclipse that was visible from London was in May 2012.
Cami warns those itching to catch a glimpse of the moon covered sun to protect their eyes from sun damage.
"The sun is very bright and will burn your retinas. Because your eyes do not have pain receptors you will not realize something is wrong until the damage is done," said Cami. "In 1999 there was a total eclipse over Europe and two German teenagers thought it was a good idea to do a staring contest to see who could look the longest directly into the sun. After 30 seconds they were still doing it saying ' I can still do it' and 'I can still see bright things' but as they looked away from the sun they also saw bright things. So in the end they will see bright lights for pretty much the rest of their lives because they completely destroyed their retinas."
To ensure sky-watchers check out the celestial event safely, Western University is inviting people to the hill in front of University College to view the eclipse through free, safe eclipse glasses. Visitors will also be able to look through telescopes equipped with professional filters and will learn and see safe ways to project the sun’s image.
The next partial eclipse that will be visible in London will be in 2021, but the real show will come three years later on April 8, 2024.
"In 2024, it's going to be 97%(sun coverage) in London but if you drive down to St. Thomas or anywhere near the Lake Erie shore you will get to experience a total solar eclipse," said Cami.