New Brunswick was in the path of a total eclipse of the sun on 8 April 2024. Fredericton was on that path that ran southwest to northeast. The day was bright and sunny with almost clear skies in the Fredericton area. The temperature was 17ºC with light winds at 19 km/h. The humidity was 19%. A perfect day for viewing an eclipse!
Our house was in the path of the total eclipse so we were able to view it from our deck. We had the cardboard viewing glasses which had been generously handed out to us in the weeks prior to the event. The sun was so intense we were somewhat afraid to use them. We tried a welding helmet but it did not give enough protection. We had read beforehand that welding protection varied and only ones with a high level of protection were safe.
What to do? We set up a telescope, cut a circle out of cardboard and mounted it over the objective end and secured it with tape. This created a shadow on the viewing area making the image better for viewing. A white sheet of paper was mounted to a board which was held 6 to 12 inches from the ocular end of the scope and the image of the eclipse was projected onto the white sheet. The way our deck is located we could stand in the shade and the scope could be directed at the sun, making our stance for the event much more comfortable. It was difficult to locate the sun in the scope and get the image on the board because the sun was so intense and lining it was up was difficult. When we succeeded it was amazing how good the image was. This, however, was compounded by the movement of the sun. We had to relocate the telescope almost every time I wanted to take a photograph. I tried my iPhone at first to photograph the image but found that my Nikon P900 worked best. Below are some of the photographs showing the approach of the moon to totality.
Below are photographs showing totality.
And, below are photographs of the eclipse as the moon moves away from totality.
It was very interesting to observe nature as the eclipse took place. It got much colder, much like what one would experience at twilight. We started at 17ºC, one of our warmest days yet this spring. As we got closer to totality, we had to put on a fleecy or jacket to be comfortable. As totality was approaching, and to nature it appeared that twilight was approaching, the birds got excited. The geese kept standing on the floodplain below us and appeared on high alert honking to one another. The Redwings and Grackles gathered in the trees along the shoreline and were very vocal. They appeared to be calling their flock together. Soon they departed presumably for their nocturnal roosting site. The woodpeckers and finches came to the feeder for their 'before bed' snacks. The waterfowl left the river probably to go to their safe overnight areas. As the darkness approached and thickened all became quiet, eerily quiet. And, it was only about 4:30 PM.
When the eclipse was total we were able to look at it with naked eyes and I was able to photograph it directly. It surprised me (although it should not have) how short the totality was. As the moon moved past the sun things slowly brightened up and warmed up just like at dawn. The colours of the landscape were magnificent, yellows, oranges, peaches, moving to purples, dark greens and blues to darkness and then back to yellows, etc. as 'dawn' came and it soon became day again, not a new day but the same day. At that point life returned to normal with traffic, the sounds of human activity.
What about the birds? The birds resumed activity only in a minor way. The flocks of blackbirds, finches and waterfowl did not return. Only a few birds returned to the feeder and yard. As the day ended and 'normal' darkness fell upon us, I saw our resident Great Horned Owl perched in a tree by the river. Only his silhouette was discernible but I could see the identifying ear tufts. The second end to a wonderful day.
