Ajax Eclipse Safety measures are being put in place for playground and summer camp participants as a partial solar eclipse becomes visible across Durham Region on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The Town of Ajax is taking precautions during the early afternoon event by moving some recreational programming indoors and directing outdoor programs into shaded areas.
The partial eclipse is expected to begin in Ajax at approximately 12:54 p.m., reach maximum coverage around 1:40 p.m. and end at approximately 2:24 p.m.
About 8.92 per cent of the Sun is expected to be obscured at maximum eclipse in Ajax.
Ajax programs move indoors during eclipse
Playground special events will continue as scheduled, but activities will move indoors between approximately 12:50 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Playground programs that normally operate outside will instead move into shaded areas during that period to reduce participants’ direct access to the Sun.
Registered summer camps will also move activities indoors.
The precautions are intended to protect children participating in municipal programming during the eclipse, when looking directly at the Sun without appropriate protection could cause serious eye damage.
Proper eclipse glasses required
Residents who plan to watch the eclipse should never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.
Certified solar eclipse glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard should be used throughout a partial eclipse.
Ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection.
Unlike during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, there is no point during Ajax’s partial eclipse when viewers can safely remove certified eye protection while looking directly at the Sun.
Anyone using older eclipse glasses should inspect them carefully before use.
Glasses with scratches, tears, pinholes, creases or other damage should not be used.
Weather could affect viewing
Clouds and unsettled weather could interfere with visibility during the eclipse.
The supplied forecast calls for a partly cloudy morning followed by a possibility of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon across southern Ontario.
Forecasters are also monitoring conditions that could support heavier rainfall, large hail and localized flooding in some areas.
Even if clouds block the eclipse, residents should not assume it is safe to look toward the Sun without proper protection. Bright sunlight can become visible suddenly through breaks in cloud cover.
Perseid meteor shower adds another skywatching opportunity
The eclipse is not the only astronomical event attracting attention.
The Perseid meteor shower is also active, giving southern Ontario residents another opportunity for skywatching later in the day.
Unlike the solar eclipse, viewing meteors does not require special eye protection because observers are looking at the night sky rather than directly at the Sun.
The two events create an unusual day for astronomy enthusiasts across Durham Region.
Safety remains priority in Ajax
The Ajax Eclipse Safety measures are primarily focused on children taking part in Town-operated programs during the eclipse window.
By shifting camps indoors and keeping outdoor playground activities in shaded areas, the Town is reducing the chance that participants will look directly at the Sun without suitable protection.
Residents who choose to observe the eclipse should use certified solar viewers, supervise children closely and follow updated weather conditions.
For Ajax, the partial eclipse is expected to last about 90 minutes, providing a notable astronomical event while also requiring careful attention to eye safety.
