Sunglasses and pinholes: how to view Monday’s solar eclipse

While it won’t be safe to look directly at next week’s solar eclipse, there are several options available for Saskatoon residents.

The moon will pass between Earth and the sun throughout Monday morning and early afternoon. The process will start around 10 a.m. in Saskatchewan, with around 75 per cent of the sun covered by 11:45 a.m.

Normal sunlight will return by 1 p.m.

Many people have been purchasing proper eye protection in the form of NASA-approved sunglasses, but last-minute shoppers may have to search a little more.

London Drugs and Best Buy are sold out already, while Toys R Us and Mastermind Toys have had to order more to keep up with demand.

Another option for viewers on a budget is making a pinhole projector.

The idea involves using a cardboard box and piercing a hole through one side. The viewer faces directly away from the sun, and watches the light projected through the pinhole on the opposite side of the box.

Ottawa-based backyard astronomer Gary Boyle told 650 CKOM’s John Gormley anything can be used to make a pinhole projector.

“Spaghetti colanders, even Ritz crackers, anything with a hole in it,” Boyle said.

“Why not have a snack while watching the eclipse?”

He also reinforced warnings to not look directly at the eclipse.

“That’s a lot of light … A lot of dangerous ultraviolet rays,” he said. “Your $500 Ray-Bans will not protect you from that.”

There are also several viewing parties throughout Saskatoon to watch the eclipse safely.

The University of Saskatchewan is opening up its observatory for the public to view the eclipse through their telescope for free.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will also have viewing stations set up at the London Drugs on 8th Street from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.