Winnipeggers head south to take in total solar eclipse

A Winnipeg family will gosouth to watch the solar eclipse after their dream trip to the land of the midnight sun was cancelled because of flooding.

The first total solar eclipseto be visible coast to coast in the United States in 99 years happens Aug. 21, and Angela Heck's family is heading to Wyoming to view it, just a few months after their dream trip to Churchill was cancelled due to flooding.

"We are trying to hit as many national parks as we can this summer, within our means and our timeline," said Heck. Entrance to national parks is free this year to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.

"A big highlight was really going to be starting on July 1 up in Churchill at Fort Prince of Wales. Unfortunately because of the rail situation up there, we had to cancel."

Heck said she was then at a book launch for local author and UFOlogist ChrisRutkowskiand found out he was travelling to see the solar eclipse.

The idea stuck.

"I did a bit of research and we kind of tacked that on to our western road trip."

The family will make their way to Casper, Wyo., for the big day.

"We'll be about 5,000 feet up, and Wyoming is known for their clear skies, their big skies," Heck said. "So we really hope there's no clouds because it's only about 2 minutes.

"Fingers crossed."

Winnipeggers head south to take in total solar eclipse

7 years ago

Duration 4:03

The first total solar eclipse to be visible coast to coast in the United States in 99 years happens Aug. 21.

What to expect

Stan Runge, of the Winnipeg Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, said this eclipse is special for star-gazers and astronomers alike.

"Well, it's close," he said. "It's within a 12-hour car drive straight down south and it's actually during a good time of the year to catch one."

Runge said those going down to watch the eclipse will see the sun completely blocked out.

"The sun will be totally covered over. The moon is in a position that it will cover the whole part of the sun for over 2 minutes."

While peoplestill need special protective eyewear while the moon begins to cover part of the sun, once the moon has covered the sun completely, the glasses can come off.

"During a total eclipse, there's that period of time, that 2 minutes, that special time, that you get to take off your glasses and take a look and see it, because now all the bright, intense portion of the sun is now totally blocked off."

It will be a partial eclipse in Winnipegand protective eyewear is needed the whole time for those watching it, said Runge. About three-quarters of the sun will be covered over for Winnipeg.

It's one of those phenomenon that really touches you- Stan Runge,Royal Astronomical Society

Runge saw the last total solar eclipse over Winnipeg on Feb. 26, 1979.

He is heading down to Nebraskathis month for a repeat experience.

"It's one of those phenomenon that really touches you," he said. "It really gets you connected with the solar system and things that are happening around you on a universal scale, not just a global scale."