Total eclipse brings 'magical' experience to thousands in Hamilton, Niagara after clouds part
Totality was around 3:18 p.m. ET, amazing onlookers at parks, streets and stadiums
A total eclipse of a lifetime appeared for hundreds of thousands of visitors and residents in the Hamilton-Niagara region — a prime viewing area in Canada — as part of the celestial spectacle in North America.
The moon began moving between the Earth and sun at around 2 p.m. ET, creating a partial solar eclipse. Around 3:18 p.m., the moon fully blocked the sun and a total solar eclipse was visible.
Crowds watched from parks and stadiums across Hamilton and by Niagara Falls as the clouds briefly parted, showing the eclipse.
People watching from Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton gasped and cheered as the temperature dropped and skies darkened. They briefly removed their glasses when totality hit to glance up at the moon haloed by the sun.
At Hamilton's Bayfront Park, 11-year-old Charlize Canido watched the total solar eclipse with her family.
She said it was "awesome" and described it as "the moon and then fire coming out."
She was among thousands sitting in the grass by the water, gathering at a nearby lookout and flooding the north end of the city after getting off GO trains nearby earlier in the day.
Charlize said she was thinking about how "you're not going to be able to see it again ... it was a 10 out of 10."
In Niagara Falls, American visitors Seth Smoak and Ben Lovewell were among the crowds ready to mark the eclipse by the falls — in their case, with a life-changing question.
"It's a very special occasion in a very special place and I'm hoping a very special someone is going to ask me a very special question," said Lovewell, smiling at Smoak.
"I'm here to propose," Smoak revealed, showing off the ring he'd chosen — while Lovewell closed his eyes to save the surprise.
"I'm a little nervous to live up to his expectations, but I think I can do it," Smoak said.
The big question leading up to the eclipse was whether the clouds would break in time.
Michelle Millen, 36, kept an eye on the sky as she, her two kids, husband, parents and grandparents watch from their Fonthill, Ont., farm in the Niagara Region. She hoped it would clear up at the right moment.
But even if the total eclipse wouldn't be completely visible, the celestial event felt "magical," she said.
What made this eclipse special?
Parts of the continent witnessed a partial solar eclipse, as the moon moves between the Earth and sun, blocking the star's light.
If you were in the narrower path of totality, the moon fully blocked the sun, known as a total eclipse, when there was a change in temperature during a period of night-like darkness.
The Hamilton-Niagara area was within this path, which made it a desirable destination for spectators.
A number of events were planned in the area, with Hamilton designating eclipse-viewing areas where people could gather safely.
Around 1 p.m., people were lined up down the block to get into McMaster University's Ron Joyce Stadium for a viewing party hosted by the university and its planetarium.
It was cool and cloudy but around 2:30 p.m., the crowd caught a glimpse of the sun and cheered. By 2:45 p.m., the football field was bathed in sunshine, and groups of people lay down with their glasses on to enjoy the show.
As the moon covered the sun, the stadium erupted as if for a game-winning goal. People applauded when the sun returned, with one group of young people chanting "Eclipse, eclipse, eclipse!"
Eclipses happen relatively frequently, but total solar eclipses might only be visible in a region once every several decades and sometimes more than 100 years. In Hamilton, the last total eclipse was in 1925 and the next one won't be until 2144.
Some people travel great distances to see eclipses. Niagara Falls welcomed up to one million visitors and the region declared a state of emergency to prepare. Hamilton was expected to see about 100,000 visitors.
Handling road traffic
Niagara police advised of road closures in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Ont., to accommodate the expected crowds beginning at 11 a.m. Monday.
They also warned about congestion on roads and highways as visitors arrive and depart from the region.
To avoid traffic jams, police said, drivers in minor collisions were urged to move to the shoulder before exchanging insurance information.
They also didn't need to call police if the damage is minimal and can report it after, at a collision reporting centre.
For everyone in the region, travel will become "increasingly difficult," Niagara police said ahead of the eclipse. They encouraged people to prepare by filling up with gas and getting groceries in advance.
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With files from Justin Chandler, Haydn Watters, Eva Salinas, Bobby Hristova