An amazing celestial phenomenon is looming in October 2023, when an annular solar eclipse will streak across the skies of North, Central and South America. The POT He has launched an essential guide to ensure a safe and fascinating observation of this cosmic spectacle, avoiding risks to the eyes and skin.
On October 14, 2023, the skies will light up with an extraordinary phenomenon: the annular solar eclipse, or as many call it, Ring of Fire. The dynamic behind this event is a celestial dance in which a body in space, be it a planet or a moon, crosses the shadow of another, creating an illusion in which the Sun appears to be blocked.
On this occasion, as the report of Snailis the Moon who stands between the Sun and the Earthpartially or totally hiding its brightness.
The path of the eclipse will cover territories from the United States to Mexico and various countries in South and Central America. With barely a month and 28 days left for the big day, the expectation is growing.
The uniqueness of the annular eclipse lies in its unique visual characteristic. Unlike total solar eclipses, partial or annular eclipses do not plunge into complete darkness. Instead, the Moon is at its furthest point from Earth as it aligns with the Sun.
This greater distance makes the Moon appear smaller and does not completely hide the Sun’s luminosity. Instead of a dark embrace, the perceived image is a dark disk on top of a larger, brighter disk, creating the iconic “ring of fire.”
NASA’s Guide to Viewing the Eclipse
NASA has provided crucial details to make the most of this phenomenon without endangering eye or skin health. The agency advises:
- View the eclipse through “eclipse glasses” or secure handheld solar viewers. Do not wear conventional sunglasses, since they do not provide the necessary protection.
- Safe sun visors comply with ISO 12312-2 and are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses.
- Avoid looking at the Sun through cameras, telescopes, or other optical devices while wearing eclipse glasses, as this could cause serious eye damage.
- Use indirect observation methods if you do not have safe sun glasses or viewers, such as a pinhole projector, which projects the image of the Sun onto a nearby surface.
- Since the Sun will be bright during the annular eclipse, sun protection, such as a hat and clothing with a sun protection factor, is recommended to prevent skin damage.
Millions of people in the Americas will be able to see a “Ring of Fire” eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023. Will you be one of them?
Note: Regular sunglasses are NOT safe for annular eclipse viewing. Plan ahead and get solar-safe viewers. What to look for: https://t.co/qDP9W89b7l pic.twitter.com/nSJgwTrPc8
—NASA (@NASA) August 15, 2023
The path of the eclipse will offer an impressive visual spectacle. According to NASA, the eclipse will begin in the state of Oregon in the United States at 9:13 am and will culminate in Texas around noon, to then head to the Gulf of Mexico and travel through the Yucatan Peninsula, leaving its mark on countries of Central America such as Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama.
Later, the phenomenon will cross South America, passing through Colombia and Brazil before saying goodbye in the Atlantic Ocean at sunset. In other continents such as Africa, Europe and Oceania, you can enjoy the eclipse in its entirety.