Annular solar eclipse: where can we see it and what do you need to observe it?

This weekend a new astronomical phenomenon will occur, visible in different countries on the continent, including Chile. It is solar eclipse which will be observed mainly in the north of the country.

The phenomenon will be a annular eclipse one of the different types of solar eclipse that can occur and see yourself on Earth.

This year, it can only be observed in the countries of the American continent, from Canada to southern Chile. However, in our country this will be observed partially.

Solar eclipses occur When the Moon obstructs the Sun’s light towards the Earth . This astronomical phenomenon has three types: total, partial and annular Sun.

The doctor in astrophysics and host of the Conversemos de Astronomía podcast, Juan Carlos Beamín, explains to La Tercera that annular eclipses occur when this alignment coincides with the moon being in the farthest part from its orbit and, consequently, seems slightly smaller relative to the Sun, therefore I can’t cover it completely.

This event forms a ring of light around the moon at the moment when the two bodies cross, called ring of fire .

This astronomical phenomenon is more frequent than that of the Sun, because, as Beamín points out, for a the total eclipse is visible from the same place on Earth, we would have to wait approximately 375 years while a cancellation would take an average of 224 years .

The annular solar eclipse It’s this Saturday, October 14 and we mainly see him between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. . It will be observed from the region of Arica and Parinacota to Ñuble.

The astronomer Beamín tells us that The phenomenon can be observed in the form of “Pacman”, when we see the moon passing next to the sun. , of which we can see the ring of fire. The solar eclipse will have the following visibility levels:

• Arica : 40.90% (peak 4:23 p.m.).
• Iquique : 35.93% (peak 4:26 p.m.).
• Antofagasta : 25.90% (peak 4:28 p.m.).
• Copy : 16.2% (peak 4:31 p.m.).
• La Serena : 9.7% (peak 4:32 p.m.).
• Valparaiso : 3.74% (peak 4:33 p.m.).
• Santiago : 3.57% (peak 4:34 p.m.).
• Rancagua : 2.46% (peak 4:34 p.m.).
• Talca : 0.70% (peak 4:33 p.m.).
• Cobquecura : 0.02% (peak 4:32 p.m.).

People who wish to view the annular solar eclipse should take precautions to avoid eye injury. Beamín tells us that yes or yes, you must use special lenses, designed to see this astronomical phenomenon or welding goggles at least grade 12, but ideally grade 14.

Other recommendations for observing this phenomenon are:

• Never look directly at the sun, whether with or without an eclipse.
• Use special lenses with filter that blocks infrared and UV solar radiation. These must be ISO 12312-2 certified .
• Check that they are in good condition.
• See the eclipse for short periods taking breaks in between.

According to JAR the next solar eclipses visible on the planet from 2023 to 2030 are:

• April 8, 2024 : It can be observed mainly in North America.
• October 2, 2024 : in South America, mainly in Chile and Argentina.
• March 29, 2025 : Northern Europe and Russia.
• September 21, 2025 : New Zealand and Antarctica.
• February 17, 2026 : Antarctica.
• August 12, 2026 : Greenland, Iceland and Spain.
• February 6, 2027 : Chili and Argentina.
• August 2, 2027 : North Africa, Spain and Saudi Arabia.
• January 26, 2028 : Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
• July 22, 2028 : Australia and New Zealand.
• January 14, 2029 : North America and Central America.
• June 11 and 12, 2029 : Arctic, Scandinavia, Alaska, Canada, Southern Chile and Argentina.
• December 5, 2029 : Southern Chile and Argentina and Antarctica.
• June 1, 2030 : Algeria, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Russia, China and Japan.
• November 25, 2030 : Botswana, South Africa and Australia.