On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, between 16:04 and 18:43, a spectacular annular solar eclipse will occur.
Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely blocks the Sun's light, in an annular eclipse, the Moon is farther from the Earth and appears smaller. This creates a thin ring of light around the Moon, known as the "ring of fire."
THE 5 STAGES OF THE ANNULAR ECLIPSE
FIRST CONTACT:
The Moon begins to cover the Sun, appearing as a black disk in the sky. This process lasts about an hour and a half.
SECOND CONTACT:
Annularity begins, when the Sun becomes a ring of light or "ring of fire." Before this, the "Baily's beads," bright points of light on the edge of the Moon, can be seen.
MAXIMUM ECLIPSE:
The Moon covers the center of the Sun, forming the complete "ring of fire."
THIRD CONTACT:
The Moon starts to move away, revealing more of the Sun. The "Baily's beads" may appear again.
FOURTH CONTACT:
The eclipse ends when the Moon no longer touches the edge of the Sun.
WHY WILL SAN JULIÁN BE ONE OF THE BEST CITIES TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE?
Puerto San Julián will be one of the best places to observe the eclipse because it is located within the optimal viewing path.
This path, known as the annularity path, is a narrow band on the Earth's surface where the eclipse will be seen at its fullest.
Being as close as possible to the center of this path ensures the best view, with the centers of the Sun and Moon perfectly aligned, and the maximum duration of the eclipse.
( FUENTE: https://www.timeanddate.com/ )
HOW WILL IT LOOK IN OTHER CITIES?
In cities near Puerto San Julián, but outside the central annularity path, the eclipse will be seen as a partial one.
As we move further away from the center of annularity, the percentage of the sun covered by the moon will decrease. For example, in Buenos Aires, the moon will cover only 42% of the sun.
This makes Puerto San Julián the ideal destination for eclipse watchers seeking the best possible visual experience.
( FUENTE: https://www.timeanddate.com/ )
THE WEATHER
In the following map, you can view in real time the cloudiness and wind direction in the central area of the province of Santa Cruz. You can also customize the map by adjusting the day, time and data you want to see.
POSITION OF THE ECLIPSE IN THE SKY OF SAN JULIÁN
Knowing the precise location and timing of the eclipse will allow us to choose the best spots to observe it and capture unforgettable images.
The eclipse will begin at 16:04 and its entire cycle will last approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes.
The annularity phase will occur at 17:27 and will last for 5 minutes and 22 seconds. At that moment, the sun will be in the west, at 21.1 degrees above the horizon of our location.
We have prepared a video that shows an approximate representation of the eclipse’s location in relation to our city.
ECLIPSE LOCATION
( video original sin editar: Martin Kennard )
WHY ECLIPSES OCCUR
The following is a video made by the University of Santiago, Chile, which explains the phenomenon of eclipses and the differences between them in a simple way.
We recommend turning on the sound as the video has audio.
MAGELLAN AND THE ECLIPSE
Puerto San Julián will not only be a prime spot to observe the eclipse but also has a profound historical legacy related to eclipses.
In 1520, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan observed a solar eclipse from this very location.
This event was recorded by Pigafetta and the expedition’s cosmographer Andrés de San Martín, and it is the first documented eclipse in Argentine territory, marking a milestone in the history of astronomy and exploration.
HOW TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE SAFELY
NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITHOUT ADEQUATE PROTECTION
Use certified eclipse glasses:
They must meet the ISO 12312-2 standard. These glasses filter out harmful solar light, including UV rays and intense visible light.
Do not use X-rays:
Although they may seem dark enough to reduce sunlight intensity, they do not adequately filter ultraviolet (UV) and infrared rays, which can cause severe eye damage, including retinal burns.
Do not use sunglasses:
Sunglasses are not designed to protect your eyes from intense solar radiation during an eclipse. Although they may appear dark, they do not effectively block UV rays and may allow harmful light to reach your eyes, causing serious eye damage.
USING TELESCOPES OR CAMERAS
Use solar filters for telescopes/binoculars:
If you are using optical instruments, make sure to place a solar filter on the front of the objective (never on the eyepiece) to avoid eye damage.
Use a camera with a solar filter:
If you want to photograph the eclipse, ensure that the camera has an appropriate solar filter to prevent damage to the sensor.
DO NOT USE ECLIPSE GLASSES OR HANDHELD VIEWERS WITH CAMERAS, BINOCULARS, OR TELESCOPES.
Concentrated solar rays will pass through and burn the filter, entering your eyes and causing serious injury.
These devices require different types of solar filters. When observing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with appropriate solar filters, it is not necessary to use eclipse glasses. (Solar filters work the same as eclipse glasses and protect your eyes.)
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ECLIPSE GLASSES OR A HANDHELD SOLAR VIEWER, YOU CAN USE AN INDIRECT OBSERVATION METHOD
You can make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and aluminum foil. With the Sun behind you, sunlight will pass through a hole punched in the aluminum foil taped over a hole on the side of the box. During the partial phases of a solar eclipse, this will project a crescent-shaped Sun onto a white sheet of paper taped inside the box. Look inside the box through another hole cut in the box to view the projected image.