Asunción, IP Agency.- Today, Wednesday, October 2, Paraguay will witness a partial solar eclipse, a phenomenon in which the Moon is placed exactly between the Earth and the Sun, partially obscuring sunlight. Nicolás Masloff, Paraguayan astronomer, highlighted during an exclusive interview with our media, the importance of the event both for science and for the general public.
“It is a very important phenomenon because it allows astronomers to study characteristics of the solar surface and the lunar edge with greater precision, apart from always being an opportunity to learn and witness a spectacle of nature,” explained Masloff.
In Paraguay, the eclipse will be visible to different degrees from throughout the territory, being most notable in the south of the country. In the department of Itapúa, for example, an occultation of 20% is expected. The event will begin around 15:39, peaking around 16:37, and ending around 17:29.
Meanwhile, in southern Argentina and Chile, the eclipse will be visible as an annular eclipse. Masloff explained that in this case “the Moon is positioned exactly opposite the center of the Sun, but, as the Moon is located at a distant point in its orbit around the Earth, it cannot completely hide our star, but instead produces the ‘ring of fire’ effect.
The astronomer warned about the dangers of observing the phenomenon without adequate protection: “To observe an eclipse safely, in order to avoid damage to your vision, it is necessary to have filters specifically designed for eclipses, which block UV and IR light. from the Sun, and allow only a small percentage of visible light to pass through.
Masloff warned about home observation methods, such as dark glasses or x-rays: “They deceive us, since the image seems to be safe, but they do not block UV and IR rays, and that can cause significant damage to the retina of the eyes.”
For those who do not have the appropriate materials, he recommended following the live broadcasts that will be carried out from various points in South America, as a safe and educational alternative.
In addition, an observation meeting is planned on the Costanera de Asunción, organized by the Cultural Action Directorate of the Municipality of Asunción. The event, with free access, will take place between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., although it will be subject to weather conditions. “If the sky is cloudy, or worse, it rains, the meeting is suspended,” concluded Masloff.
Solar eclipses, although spectacular, have no negative effects on the planet or humans, as long as safety recommendations for their observation are followed.
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2024-10-05 18:43:14
