Prince Albert's Shawn Bayko takes a look at the partial eclipse just before it reached its peak on Monday. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

A RARE FEAT

‘Good to see’: Sask residents experience partial solar eclipse

Apr 8, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Despite some cloud cover, many Saskatchewan residents were able to experience a partial solar eclipse on Monday.

In some parts of Canada, particularly in southwestern Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, spectators were wowed by a full solar eclipse.

Temperatures dipped, animals quieted, and rapturous crowds watched as the sun’s corona came into view behind the black disc of the moon. Stars lit up the darkened skies and streetlights went on for a short while.

Saskatchewan, however, did not experience the same level of magic but still had a partial eclipse as roughly 40 per cent of the sun was covered.

While not full visible to the naked eye, this camera shot shows the partial eclipse through the smallest reflection of the sun (middle). (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

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The eclipse peaked just before 1 p.m. CST, leaving the air just a tad cooler and the sunlight a little dimmer than normal.

One enthusiast who was ecstatic to witness the partial eclipse was Prince Albert storm chaser and astronomist Shawn Bayko.

Waiting just outside his home with his large telescope and lens filter, Bayko said it was still remarkable to witness the solar eclipse.

“It was just a partial (but) it was good to see,” he said.

Bayko shared with paNOW that his love for the stars, planets, and galaxies started at a young age, remembering the days he would stare at the sky while lying in the bed of a pickup truck.

From there, he purchased his first telescope and the passion only grew from there, with more, bigger telescopes to follow.

Now, equipped with a state-of-the-art telescope, Bayko said he’s already preparing for the next solar eclipse expected to hit western Canada in 2044.

For those, like him, already looking ahead to that phenomenon, he said it’s not too late to invest in a good way to look at it.

“I have to tell everyone to get a telescope, get the proper lens and you will catch a nice view of it.”

One in six people live in Canada’s path of totality for Monday’s eclipse or about 6.1 million people based on 2021 Census data. Statistics Canada noted the number is likely higher given rapid population growth.

–With files from The Canadian Press

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com