From Daylight to Starlight: Capturing Winnipeg's Partial Solar Eclipse and Messier Objects in Ursa Major

​On April 8th, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba, witnessed a partial solar eclipse with a maximum obscuration of 53.64%. Despite cloudy skies, the event captivated Winnipeggers. As a passionate observer living in Winnipeg, I had the opportunity to witness this phenomenon.

The Unveiling of the Eclipse

​The eclipse began its subtle initiation at 12:54 pm CDT, with the moon starting to cover the sun from a direction of 167° and an altitude of 47.0°. The peak occurred at 2:01 pm CDT at 191° and an altitude of 47.2°. The gradual retreat of the moon’s shadow continued until the partial eclipse ended at 3:08 pm CDT. By then, the alignment shifted to 214° and an altitude of 43.0°.

​A Glimpse Through the Lens

​Armed with my SeeStar S50, I captured key moments of the eclipse. Below are two groups of photographs highlighting the peak and final moments of the eclipse, showcasing the moments when the moon and sun played a fleeting game of tag in the sky.

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The Eclipse at Its Peak
​Taken during maximum obscuration.

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The Closing Moments
Captured at the end of the eclipse.

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Stellar Exploration Before the Eclipse

In anticipation of the eclipse, the evening of April 2nd to the morning of April 3rd was spent in diligent observation and photography of the night sky. With my SeeStar S50, I captured the beauty of four Messier objects, all located in the constellation Ursa Major (aka Big Dipper).

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​M81 (Bode's Galaxy)

M81 is a stunning spiral galaxy approximately 12 million light-years away. It is one of the brightest galaxies that can be seen from Earth. M81, along with its neighbour M82, can be found by drawing a line from Phecda to Dubhe, two of the stars in the Big Dipper, and extending it beyond.

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​M82 (Cigar Galaxy)

M82 is a starburst galaxy, meaning it is undergoing an exceptionally high rate of star formation. It is located near M81 and is often observed in conjunction with it (as imaged in this photograph). This galaxy is remarkable for its bright centre and the dark lanes of dust that crisscross its disk.

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​M97 (Owl Nebula)

M97 is a planetary nebula, representing the remains of a dying star that has thrown off its outer layers. It is named the Owl Nebula because of its two dark patches that resemble an owl's eyes. It is located close to Merak, one of the bottom stars of the Big Dipper's bowl.

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​M108 (Surfboard Galaxy)

​This is a barred spiral galaxy that lies close to the Owl Nebula (M97). It is seen edge-on from Earth, giving it a slender, elongated appearance that has led to its nickname, the Surfboard Galaxy.

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The Night Before: Capturing the Pinwheel Galaxy

​Motivated by my earlier observations, I set out to capture a great image of M101 (another Messier object in Ursa Major) on April 7th, the night before the eclipse.

​M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy)

The Pinwheel Galaxy is a face-on spiral galaxy, which means we are looking at it from above its pole, allowing us to see its spiral arms in all their glory. It is located in the outer region of the Big Dipper's handle. Finding M101 can be a bit challenging due to its low surface brightness, but it is a rewarding sight in stacked photographs and larger telescopes.

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Location of observed Messier objects in Ursa Major. 

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A Cosmic Journey

The partial solar eclipse of 2024 provided a unique opportunity for celestial observation and photography. Coupled with the preceding nights spent capturing the beauty of distant galaxies and nebulae, it was an unforgettable experience that underscored the wonders of our universe. For more details and insights into the equipment used during these observations, visit the 'My Gear' page under the 'Astronomy' section of my website, recently completed to share information about my gear and what qualities I value most with fellow astronomy enthusiasts.

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Maximum obscuration, times, direction, and altitude data from Time and Date.