Retired N.B. scientist to launch balloon for high-altitude view of solar eclipse [Video]

David Hunter has always been interested in science and astronomy.

In 2017, he even took a trip to Wyoming to see a total solar eclipse. Then it dawned on him: central New Brunswick will be the centreline for the next total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks out the sun. The path of totality for the eclipse April 8 includes Fredericton, Woodstock and Miramichi, while Saint John and Moncton will experience about 98 per cent coverage of the sun. 

Hunter’s hometown of Florenceville-Bristol, near the western edge of the province, is also in the path of totality, but he wanted to get closer than the front-row seat he already has.

So he hatched a plan to build what he calls a balloon-borne solar telescope.

The project is meant to …