First things first: Elliot Lake, Blind River, and the North Shore are not in the "path of totality." Neither is Manitoulin Island. This means we will experience only a partial eclipse this afternoon. About 87 per cent.
However, you still need to be careful out there. Algoma Public Health is warning residents to make sure they don protective eyewear if they plan to look up, because even staring at a small sliver of the sun can be damaging. Health impacts may include retinal burns, blurred vision, and loss of eyesight (immediate or delayed).
Locally, the partial eclipse will begin at 2 p.m. and finish by 4:30 p.m. — peaking for a few minutes at approximately 3:15 p.m.
The French school boards in the area were so concerned about student safety that they rescheduled an April 19 P.A. Day to today, ensuring kids aren't walking home from school or catching a bus at the time of the eclipse.
The Algoma District School Board (ADSB) and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School (HSCDSB) made a different decision, opting to keep schools open today.
"Since the eclipse will not affect our region with the same intensity as other areas of the province, regularly scheduled classes will occur on April 8th," reads a note sent to parents by Danny Viotto, the HSCDSB's director of education. "To maximize the educational opportunity of this historic day, educators have been provided with teaching resources. In addition, Principals have been provided guidelines for the day and information will be shared during daily announcements, the week prior to, and the day of the eclipse in all schools."
Want to learn more about today's eclipse? Check out the stories below.
• The science, mathematics and history behind the eclipse
• How to safely photograph and experience the solar eclipse
• Protect your eyes during eclipse, public health reminds
• Niagara police and emergency services ready for biggest crowds ever
• Provincial task force has been key in preparing for the eclipse