A mobile application so you don't miss anything about the April 8 eclipse

2024-03-07 05:00:00

An all-Quebec mobile application with geolocation is now available to make the most of the total eclipse of April 8.

The Mon Éclipse application (Android and IOS) is an initiative of the Fédération des astronomers amateurs du Québec (FAAQ).

“It will allow us in real time, depending on where we are, to tell us the important moments and when to remove the glasses and put them back on. We kept a margin of a few seconds (for safety),” explains Jasmin Robert, general director of the FAAQ.

The Mon Éclipse application from the Fédération des astronomers amateurs du Québec (FAAQ). Screenshot taken from Play Screenshot taken from Play

Mr. Robert particularly regrets that schools are not better supervised.

“It’s a bit of every man for himself. They go there a lot out of caution, asking to keep their glasses on during the entire phenomenon,” he says.

Don’t miss the action

“For our part, when the eclipse is total, we recommend removing the glasses,” he continues. This is the highlight of the show that we see once in our life. The solar corona, the stars that appear in the dark. You won’t see any of that with eclipse glasses. When you have the right information and know when to remove them and when to put them back, the danger is minimal.”

The FAAQ had the help of two computer science students from the University of Montreal to create its application.

The Mon Éclipse application from the Fédération des astronomers amateurs du Québec (FAAQ). It also allows you to simulate the eclipse. Screenshot

The project was supervised by a member of the FAAQ, Jean-François Guay, eclipse chaser and programmer.

“We are working on an update to add features before the eclipse. It works everywhere in the world and will remain useful for future partial eclipses. Other applications exist. But ours is free and available in French,” explains Mr. Robert.

Photos

To those who would like to immortalize the phenomenon by photographing it, the CEO of the FAAQ issues a warning.

“You have to put a solar filter (on the lens), it’s the same type as for glasses. It is not recommended to photograph it except for those who have the knowledge to do so. You might be tempted to do this with a phone, but there is a risk of looking at the sun while pointing. We suggest experiencing the event more and leaving the cameras aside,” insists Mr. Robert.

Where to go?

At the heart of the total eclipse corridor the phenomenon can be observed for three and a half minutes. At the edge of the corridor, it will only last a few seconds.

The eclipsequebec.ca site lists certain public sites from where it will be possible to observe the total eclipse. Screenshot www.eclipsequebec.ca

Jasmin Robert recalls that many public sites will be accessible to monitor the phenomenon. Several are listed in www.eclipsequebec.caa site on which the FAAQ collaborated and which contains several other information.

Prepare for the solar eclipse