Montreal, Thursday, April 4, 2024 - On the afternoon of April 8, part of Quebec will be momentarily plunged into darkness as a total solar eclipse takes place. Solar eclipses are rare occasions that offer scientists the chance to observe the solar corona and outer layers of our star, as well as to study the effect of the unexpected drop in luminosity on animals. This will be the last total solar eclipse to take place in Quebec before... 2106. Get ready for an unforgettable spectacle...
The special feature presented in the magazine has 3 main themes:
What is a solar eclipse?
The solar eclipse is a fascinating astronomical phenomenon. What can you expect on April 8? How can you watch the show in complete safety? All the practical info in the dossier and on our website: https://www.quebecscience.qc.ca/espace/eclipse-solaire-2024/
The effect of the solar eclipse on animals
What will the animals do during the eclipse? Will the birds stop singing? Will macaques huddle together as if in danger? At Granby Zoo, scientists will be observing the behavior of several animals during the solar eclipse. A dozen cameras will be set up in key areas of the zoo to observe them before, during and after the event.
The Sun reveals itself during eclipses
Surprisingly, total solar eclipses are extremely useful for studying our star, and in particular for observing the solar corona, the Sun's outer region. By hiding the luminous disk, they enable scientists to study areas of the Sun's atmosphere that are still mysterious, and to better understand the storms that agitate the star's surface. Nasa will also be launching several scientific experiments on this occasion. Here's an update on what we hope to learn.
Also in this issue:
The Ozempic phenomenon
Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro (and other «slimming» injections): the arrival of various drugs that make you lose weight quickly has profoundly shaken the way obesity is treated. Is this the end of dieting?
Parasocial grief, the grief associated with celebrity deaths
Did you shed a tear (or several) when you heard that singer Karl Tremblay had passed away, even though you'd never met him? It's perfectly normal; it's what we call parasocial grief.
