Members of the media may directly contact:
Angle: Explore the wonders of the cosmos: the total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024
Christian Gigault(English & French)
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
Professor Gigault can discuss:
- What is the occurrence of solar eclipses and why don't we have a solar eclipse every New Moon?
- How do you view a solar eclipse safely?
- Are there any impacts on the structure and dynamics of Earth's upper atmosphere?
- Can an eclipse cause mood swings or anxiety?
- Can an eclipse impact weather or cause earthquakes?
- How does an eclipse affect solar energy production?
Angle: Ancient historical understanding of eclipses
Richard Burgess (English only)
Full Professor, Department of Classics and Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts.
[email protected]
Professor Burgess’ research and expertise revolves around Classical to Byzantine periods of ancient history, Greek and Latin Chronicles, and late Roman history. He can provide insight into:
- How eclipses were treated.
- How much was understood about eclipses.
- Historical accuracy of eclipse accounts.
- The Antikythera Mechanism which could predict eclipses.
Angle: The solar eclipse throughout history
Jean-Louis Trudel (English and French)
Part Time Professor, History, Faculty of Arts
Professor Trudel can comment on the historical aspect of eclipses and their important role in ancient history.
"In ancient history, eclipses have saved explorers, been linked to the issue of fateful battles, and served as a test bed for the development of predictive science."
Angle: The solar eclipse and its impact on plants
Allyson MacLean (English only)
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science
Professor Maclean is an expert in plant physiology and environmental signals. She can discuss the impact of a solar eclipse on plant circadian rhythms and draw parallels between plant growth and animal adaptations.
“While there are many anecdotal reports of how animal behaviour is affected by a solar eclipse, the impact of an eclipse on plants may be harder to see but may well be more profound. Although rare, studies indicate that solar eclipses can cause dramatic though short-term impacts on photosynthesis and are likely to be stressful event for our plants.”