Across Nunavut, residents paused their daily routines on Aug. 12 to watch a partial solar eclipse that lasted about four-and-a-half hours. Communities from the Kitikmeot to the Qikiqtaaluk reported good visibility, with many people using protective eyewear and camera filters to view the event safely.
Local observers share moments from the sky
Photographer Daniel Tapatai of Baker Lake described the experience as an introduction to eclipses. He protected his eyes with a neutral density filter marked 64 and fitted a similar filter on his camera lens to prevent damage from the sun’s rays.
In Iqaluit, several residents took short breaks to look up. Sandi Chan stepped outside her office wearing eclipse glasses she has kept for about eight years. She shared them with colleagues, gym patrons and even a taxi driver, allowing others to see the eclipse from a nearby parking lot.
“It felt pretty magical,” Chan said. “This one was really high contrast. It felt really, really big.”
Health officials emphasise eye safety
The Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health issued a reminder the day before the event stressing that unprotected direct viewing of the sun can cause serious and lasting eye injury. Charmaine Deogracias, the department’s communications manager, warned respondents that looking at an eclipse without the right protection risks permanent damage.
Certified eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers are designed to block ultraviolet, infrared and intense visible light that can harm retinas. Officials encouraged anyone planning to observe an eclipse to verify that their equipment meets safety standards and to supervise children while they look at the sky.
Availability and practical tips
Notably, there were no opticians, pharmacies or other retailers in Iqaluit selling eclipse glasses in the days leading up to Aug. 12. Several observers relied on eyewear they had obtained previously, or on advice from visiting astronomers who had distributed viewers in earlier years.
For future events, readers should consider:
- Confirming that eclipse glasses are certified (ISO 12312-2 or equivalent), and replacing them if scratched or damaged.
- Using camera filters specifically designed for solar photography rather than improvised coverings.
- Supervising children and refraining from looking through telescopes or binoculars without an adequate solar filter.
| What to use | Why |
|---|---|
| Certified eclipse glasses | Block UV, IR and intense visible light |
| Neutral density filter (e.g. ND64) | Reduces sunlight intensity for photography and viewing |
| Hand-held solar viewers | Portable and safe for brief observation if certified |
Why this mattered in Nunavut
Because of Nunavut’s northern latitude and the path of the moon’s shadow, some communities experienced a greater portion of the sun’s obscuration than much of southern Canada. The Canadian Space Agency had forecast that Iqaluit would see a larger fraction of the eclipse compared with many other parts of the country, prompting local interest and the Health Department’s timely safety advisory.
For many witnesses, the event offered both a scientific spectacle and a communal moment: colleagues sharing a pair of glasses, photographers documenting the light changes, and passersby stopping to look up. Observers noted the contrast and the scale of the darkened segment of the sun, with several describing the experience as unexpectedly striking despite it being a partial eclipse rather than a total one.
Looking ahead
Events such as this underline the importance of preparation and reliable public information. When future solar events are expected, residents are advised to plan ahead for safe-viewing equipment, check local announcements from health authorities and community centres, and avoid improvised methods of protection.
The Aug. 12 eclipse provided a rare, sustained opportunity for Nunavummiut to witness a celestial event together. For some it was a first-time experience, for others a reminder to keep and share safe viewing tools — small items that made a big difference under the Arctic sky.
