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Moon to cast large shadow on North America Monday

Aug 21, 2017 | 5:24 AM

LETHBRIDGE – For the first time since 1979, a total solar eclipse will be visible to a large population in North America.

While in Lethbridge it won’t appear as a total eclipse, the moon will block out more than 80 per cent of the sun at its peak Monday, Aug. 21.

University of Lethbridge experimental astrophyscist Dr. Locke Spencer cautions people NOT to look at the sun directly or risk permanently damaging your vision. Glasses made for viewing a solar eclipse safely are in short supply in the city.

An alternative for viewing the eclipse is to make your own pinhole camera.

Spencer says the eclipse begins at around 10:20 a.m., and will take about an hour to get to its peak at around 11:30 a.m. The moon will then block the sun either partially or totally, for about 2.5 minutes and begin moving away. The entire process will be over just before 1 p.m.

NASA will livestream the event at this link, with a preview show beginning at 9 a.m. and eclipse coverage starting at 10.

Spencer says the next solar eclipse visible to North America will occur in 2044.