Mexico City /
This 2024 will be a special year for astronomy because to two different and unique solar eclipses that can be appreciated. The first was a total solar eclipse which happened on April 8th and the second will be an annular solar eclipse which will take place on October 2nd.
For now, several astronomers anticipate that the new annular eclipse will create a “ring of fire” that will last between three and seven minutes, depending on the point of observation.
NASA describes an annular solar eclipse as a phenomenon that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but at or near its farthest point from our planet.
Because the Moon is farther from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not cover it completely.As a result, the Moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger, brighter disk, creating the optical illusion of what looks like a ring around the Moon.
Where will the Annular Solar Eclipse be visible?
The annular phase of the solar eclipse can be seen in the Pacific Ocean and the south of the American continent, specifically south of the countries of Chile and Argentina, Easter Island and north of the Falkland Islands. According to astronomical information of the Naval Hydrography Servicethe phenomenon will begin at 16 hours 50 minutes UT and end at 20 hours 39 minutes UT.
If weather conditions permit, More than 93 percent of the Moon’s coverage toward the Sun will be visibleTherefore, people who are in the mentioned areas will have a privileged view of the astronomical phenomenon.
While the countries that remain outside the eclipse path annular, will experience a partial eclipse as is the case of Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil.
Why is it important to observe solar eclipses?
NASA says the internal study of solar eclipses is key to answering questions about Earth in unusual conditions.
Because the blocking of solar energy formed by solar eclipses is useful to study the effects of the Sun on the upper atmospherewhere the Sun’s energy creates a layer of charged particles called the ionosphere.
