Thursday, April 18, 2024

Unofficial Eclipse Day - April 08, 2024

   Blog # 1613 --- Day 784 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE



Total Solar Eclipse Day  -  While not an officially recognized day , April 8, 2024 was an exciting and wildly popular day , at least in the areas of complete totally. Here in Alberta we only experienced about 28 percent eclipse . I really didn't experience any real difference in the sun's brightness. I guess I'll just have to wait for the next one, in 2044.  Forever the optimist !

Canada issued a Total Solar Eclipse stamp on March 14th of this year. This stamp commemorates the total solar eclipse that will occured over parts of Canada on Monday, April 8, 2024.

It is the only time this century that the path of a total solar eclipse will cross parts of North America’s three largest countries – Mexico, the United States and Canada .The shadow of the moon will turn daylight to darkness for millions of Canadians on April 8, as the path of a total solar eclipse crosses parts of North America’s three largest countries – Mexico, the United States and Canada – for the first and only time this century.

In Canada, the awe-inspiring phenomenon – which won’t be seen here again until 2044 – will trace a path of darkness, called the path of totality, from southwestern Ontario to eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun in such a way that it blocks the face of the sun from view. While many eclipses take place over uninhabited regions, this one will pass over populated areas in six provinces, as well as many other parts of the continent. A total solar eclipse leads to a brief period of darkness along its path of totality (an approximately 200-kilometre-wide path of darkness). The closer to the centre of the path of totality, the longer the period of totality (for the 2024 total solar eclipse, up to 4.5 minutes). Outside the path of totality, a partial eclipse will be seen. What was once considered an evil omen by some now draws crowds from around the world. The spectacle unfolds over approximately two hours but peaks in only a few precious minutes of totality when the sun is completely obscured and the ghostly glow from the sun’s chromosphere and corona frames a perfect silhouette of the moon.

Here is a great picture of the stamp.


None to be outdone by a stamp, here is the postcard that My Lovely Teena sent to me on Eclipse Day and used the eclipse stamp with the April 8th postmark. It is a view of Moraine Lake , in Banff National Park. It is unquestionably the emerald gem of the Canadian Rockies in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The area abounds in spectacular views and is a very worth while trip for the visitor - only ten miles from Lake Louise. In my opinion, for what it's worth, Moraine Lake is the most beautiful spot in Canada. 



The stamp and postmark - 


That is my update for today. Thank you Teena for this wonderful card. 

Cheers !


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