Where's the best place in N.B. to watch the total eclipse? It might mean a drive

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If you want to see Monday’s total eclipse for its fullest duration, it might mean a drive for most New Brunswickers. 

And be sure to bring a jacket. 

Watch parties and celebrations have been organized right across the province in anticipation of Monday’s once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, but some of the best views are in New Brunswick’s more rural locations. 

Hartland in western New Brunswick is the largest centre in the middle of the direct path, when the moon completely covers the sun at 4:32 p.m. That means watchers there will see the total phenomenon for the longest time at three minutes and 22 seconds. 

Nearby Florenceville-Bristol is close behind at three minutes and 20 seconds. 

Other spots that will get the full eclipse for over three minutes include Woodstock, Miramichi, Doaktown, Boiestown and Blackville. 

Fredericton is the largest centre in the province that will see the total eclipse, where the sun will remain hidden behind the moon for two minutes and 17 seconds. 

Moncton is just on the edge of the path, so won’t see a total eclipse, but will be close to one momentarily. And Saint John is well outside the path, so will only see a partial eclipse. 

Wherever you are to watch the sun disappear Monday, be sure to prepare for a temperature dip, says Royal Astronomical Society of Canada New Brunswick Centre president June MacDonald. 

She said temperatures could drop as much as six degrees. 

It’s also worth taking the time to look around, rather than just at the sky, during the total eclipse. 

“You may miss the things around you, how the animals respond, and all the birds,” she said. 

“Some people find it very emotional, it’s very philosophical for them, and other people are just plain excited to see something so rare.” 

If you do plan to look into the sky, proper eyewear is a must. While eclipse glasses can be removed during the full phase, as the partial phase begins again they should be put back on. 

And make sure your glasses are fit for the job, too, MacDonald said, labelled with the international standard number 12312-2, or they will not protect your eyes. 

Before the big day, she suggests testing the glasses by staring at a bright light in your home to make sure there are no holes or scratches in the lenses. Even then, she warns, it’s only safe to look through the glasses at the sun for one or two minutes at a time. 

The most important factor for viewing the eclipse, however, will be the weather. While there’s a historical average of 72 per cent cloud cover on April 8 in New Brunswick, forecasts so far are calling for clear skies from one end of the path through the province to the other. 

— with files from Savannah Awde