11 April 2024
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A new permanent stamp commemorating the total solar eclipse that took place on Monday 8th April has been released.
The total solar eclipse stamp, which was released on the 14th March marks the first time that Canada Post has issued a stamp featuring the solar eclipse. This will be the only time this century that the path of a total solar eclipse will cross parts of North America’s three largest countries – Mexico, the United States and Canada.
About the design
Created through a combination of photography and illustration, the total solar eclipse stamp shows the sun at the moment of totality during a total solar eclipse. Set against the backdrop of a darkened sky, the stamp features a metallic silver line which depicts the path of the eclipse across Canada from its entrance point in southwestern Ontario to its exit point in eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. The bottom of the stamp shows a photomontage of land formations along the path of totality, including the iconic Niagara Falls and the rocky shores of Newfounsland’s east coast.
The stamp is one of Canada Post’s permanent domestic rate stamps released so far in 2024 and is available to purchase in a pack of 10. The accompanying booklet features a close up of the eclipse design also featured on the stamp itself. The inside of the booklet shows details of the events of the eclipse including the start and end times of the entire eclipse event and the start and end times of totality at a location of the six provinces where the total solar eclipse will be seen.
Canada Post has previously released other astronomy related stamps including the International Year of Astronomy (2009), featuring images of the Eagle and Horsehead nebulas and Astronomy (2018) which marked the 150th anniversary of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
About the eclipse
The total solar eclipse passed through parts of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island before exiting North America on the eastern coast of Newfoundland. Towns and cities outside of this path were able to observe a partial solar eclipse. Although partial solar and lunar eclipses take place regularly in Canada, a total solar eclipse will not take place again until 2044.