The first total solar eclipse visible to Canada and the USA is on Monday and Canadian Mennonite University wants you to join them in viewing this amazing event.

On Monday, August 21, North America will have the chance to experience total solar eclipse for the first time since the 1970's. While it's only around 70% here, it's worth watching, so CMU is trying to accommodate.

"What we're going to be doing is setting up a telescope on the property that's specially adapted for doing solar observing," said Craig Martin, Assistant Professor of Business at CMU.

Martin says that the eclipse will start around 11:40 a.m., with the maximum coverage at 12:57 p.m. The event, however, will last for a full two and a half hours.

He does warn that you should not watch the eclipse without the proper equipment.

"If you don't have the equipment, do it on television," Martin said. "It's not something you want to watch with the naked eye, it can cause permanent harm."

There are specially designed glasses available, while Martin says the telescope at CMU has a filter that knocks out 98% of the light, making it perfect for solar viewing.