Weather permitting, people across Newfoundland will have the chance to watch a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun and covers roughly half of the solar disc for many locations in the province.
Public viewing in St. John’s
The Johnson Geo Centre in St. John’s is staging a watch party from 12 p.m. NT to 5 p.m., partnering with the Royal Astronomical Society and STEM Girls to provide telescopes, expertise and hands-on activities for children. Inside the centre, staff will stream images of the eclipse’s totality as it moves from Greenland and Iceland toward Spain.
“Viewing it, it is pretty spectacular. You don’t normally see something moving in front of the sun like that and with the glasses on and the viewers… It’s phenomenal.”
The line comes from Andrea van Nostrand, lead of education and interpretation at the Johnson Geo Centre, who said the centre will run outdoor viewing and indoor activities regardless of cloud cover.
How much of the sun will be blocked?
Across Newfoundland the moon is expected to obscure about 50 per cent of the sun at maximum eclipse for local observers. The amount varies with location — coastal points and the island’s different time zones will see changes in the timing and the fraction of solar coverage.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Partial solar eclipse |
| Expected maximum coverage in Newfoundland | About 50% |
| Johnson Geo Centre watch party | 12 p.m. NT to 5 p.m. |
| Streamed totality route | Greenland, Iceland, then down to Spain |
Safety and family activities
Van Nostrand said the Geo Centre will supply or show how to make safe solar viewers for children so people will not look directly at the sun without proper protection. The centre’s activities include creating simple viewing tools and supervised telescope use with approved solar filters.
Key reminders for safe observation:
- Never look at the sun with the naked eye.
- Use approved solar eclipse glasses or properly filtered telescopes.
- Do not use improvised filters such as sunglasses or smoked glass.
Weather may be a factor
Environment Canada’s forecast for St. John’s calls for periods of drizzle, with morning fog expected to clear in the afternoon. Van Nostrand expressed hope the weather will co-operate so people can get a clear view, but emphasised the Geo Centre’s indoor programming will proceed if the sky remains overcast.
For viewers outside the capital, local conditions will determine visibility. Shorelines and elevated vantage points can sometimes provide clearer skies if inland fog lingers, but observers should check updated forecasts and plan accordingly.
Where totality will be seen
While Newfoundland will see a partial eclipse, the path of totality — where the sun is completely blocked by the moon — will cross parts of Greenland and Iceland before continuing down to Spain. The Johnson Geo Centre will stream those scenes for visitors keen to witness totality remotely.
For many islanders, the partial eclipse still presents a rare and striking spectacle. Van Nostrand captured the mood plainly: the movement of the moon across the solar face, even when partial, is a remarkable sight when viewed safely.
Visitors to the Geo Centre and anyone planning to watch the eclipse from home should come prepared with approved viewing equipment, check local weather updates, and keep an eye on public programming offered by science organisations across the province.
The partial eclipse is a chance not only for skywatching but for community learning — an event where families, students and seasoned observers can gather to share a glimpse of celestial mechanics playing out over Newfoundland’s skies.
