32 years ago, on July 11, 1991, our country was fortunate to witness the longest solar eclipse of the 20th century. With a record duration of seven minutes and two seconds, the astronomical phenomenon turned day into night while Mexicans turned their eyes to the sky.
What is a total solar eclipse?
First of all, the word eclipse comes from the Greek ekleipsis, which means disappearance, indicating the absence of the sun in the sky; and occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, casting a shadow on the surface of our planet.
Regarding the 1991 eclipse, it began in the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii, continued through Mexico and continued through Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, to Colombia, Peru and Brazil.
As we mentioned previously, this lasted approximately seven minutes and the shadow touched Baja California Sur at 12:46 hours; At 1:06 p.m. it advanced through Nayarit, arriving in Mexico City at 1:24 p.m. and leaving the national territory at 1:43 p.m. through the state of Chiapas.
Fury of the gods and the end of the world: Pre-Hispanic beliefs around eclipses
![Solar eclipse of 1991, the astronomical event that excited Mexicans The eclipse in its total phase](https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Eclipse_CR_1991_b_zoom.jpg)
How was the 1991 solar eclipse experienced in Mexico?
According to the testimony of Julieta Fierro, researcher at the UNAM Institute of Astronomy, who recalled the event in the UNAM Global Magazine, the authorities carried out a dissemination campaign to prevent citizens from observing the phenomenon with the naked eye because This way he put his eyesight at risk.
Likewise, filters were distributed everywhere where the astronomical event would be seen. Subsequently, specialists met in La Paz, Baja California Sur, since according to astronomers from around the world, that would be the best place to observe the eclipse.
![Solar eclipse of 1991, the astronomical event that excited Mexicans This is what the filters distributed by authorities to observe the event looked like](https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/eclipse_int_10-900x755.jpg)
The phenomenon in the rest of the country
In most of the Mexican territory, thousands of people prepared in advance to witness the event, purchasing special glasses to protect their eyes; leaving their homes and jobs in search of the best place to live the experience.
Finally, in Mexico City, many gathered in the capital’s Zócalo to observe the event and at the point of greatest darkness, some cried and hugged each other. However, despite the outreach efforts and filters distributed by authorities to observe the eclipse, many people required medical attention due to apparent damage to their eyesight.
![Solar eclipse of 1991, the astronomical event that excited Mexicans Newspaper article the next day](https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/293390031_5185264511522530_7661548781442162998_n.jpg)
Keep reading: A large total solar eclipse will darken the skies of Mexico in 2024