Solar eclipse 2024 impresses crowds in Windsor-Essex
As the total solar eclipse fell over parts of southwestern Ontario Monday, many residents watched online and in person across the region.
CTV News Windsor meteorologist Gary Archibald hosted a livestream of the event from Colchester Harbour.
IN PICTURES: Crowds watch solar eclipse in Windsor-Essex
Cars started lining up early Monday morning to travel to a good viewing area for the event, including a traffic backup heading into Point Pelee National Park. The park was at full capacity before noon.
Lineup to get into Point Pelee National Park on April 8, 2024. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)
The eclipse occured over a large swath of North America and during the brief period when the moon totally covers the sun, day transforms to night with a show of streamers and magnetic loops dancing around the sun.
Thousands of people gathered at Point Pelee, Leamington, Kingsville and Colchester to get a view of this once in a lifetime event.
Samara Thompson says she woke up at 4:30 this morning in Toronto and picked Essex County as her viewing point.
“Checked the weather and hopped in the car where there was the least amount of clouds. This is it and it’s beautiful. What a perfect day,” she says.
Crowds take in the solar eclipse as it moves through the path of totality in Windsor-Essex. (CTV News Windsor)
In Colchester, the sky went dark as hundreds of viewers watched with their eclipse glasses on the shoreline.
Solar eclipse at totality in Colchester, Ont., on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Taylor Choma/CTV News Windsor)
There were people barbecuing, playing at the beach, walking, biking and tailgating.
“Really exciting to be able to see the full eclipse. We were like let’s just go. Let’s go to Canada,” says Mary Jean Meyerson from Michigan.
Crowds head to the Lake Erie shoreline to view the total solar eclipse in Colchester, Ont., on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Taylor Choma/CTV News Windsor)In Windsor, the sky didn't get as dark, since it wasn't in totality.
A look at the Detroit-Windsor skyline at 3:15 p.m. during the solar eclipse in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Melanie Kentner/CTV News Windsor)
Many residents and visitors gathered along the riverfront.Some people remarked they thought it would get much darker than what they saw in Windsor is what’s called a deep partial eclipse. The streetlights still turned on and looking across at Detroit, the skyline was glowing with lights.
Viewing the solar eclipse from the riverfront in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Rich Garton/CTV News Windsor)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
Conservatives push motion calling for Carney to testify, say it's about 'accountability'
The federal Conservatives made good on their promise to push for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to testify before MPs, resulting in a heated political debate in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
London Drugs stores remain closed, 'cybersecurity incident' may have breached personal data
London Drugs says it is working with third-party security experts as the company tries to reopen dozens of stores across Western Canada that were shuttered by a cybersecurity incident Sunday.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.