This Saturday, October 14, thousands of Mexicans lived the shocking experience of observing the annular eclipse of the Sun visible in many parts of the country. But now that the big event of 2023 has passed, Mexico is preparing for one of the most anticipated solar eclipses of the decade: the total solar eclipse of 2024 that will cross all of North America.
According to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), July 1991 was the last time to observe a total solar eclipse in Mexico, so this is a great opportunity to enjoy this natural spectacle again. .
The UNAM Institute of Geophysics explains that eclipses are astronomical phenomena that occur when our natural satellite, the Moon, covers the Sun, creating a night in the middle of the day.
“So, within a few minutes, the shadows of things disappear, the stars shine and some confused animals, thinking it’s getting dark, go to sleep,” he said in an article.
According to specialists, eclipses can be annular or total. In this sense, the next total solar eclipse in 2024, known as the ‘Great American Eclipse’, will be very different from the event that happened this year. We tell you why.
What is the difference between an annular and a total solar eclipse?
Thanks to our position in the Universe, the inhabitants of the Earth can observe three types of solar eclipses: annular, total and hybrid.
According to NASA, an annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, but at its farthest point from our planet.
Since the satellite is farther from the Earth, it is perceived as smaller, in addition to the fact that the Moon blocks part of the light from the Sun, so we see a dark disk on top of a larger and brighter one. which one: the so- called ‘Ring of Earth’. Fire’.
On the other hand, a total eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun, so that the solar outer atmosphere or corona is exposed.
The period of time during which the Sun is completely hidden by the Moon is called totality and can last from a few seconds to more than seven minutes. Above all, at this stage, you do not need to use special lenses, because it is possible to safely look at the crown of the Sun, since its brightness is the same as the entire Moon.
Total solar eclipses only happen every 375 years, while partial eclipses happen every 2.5 years, so next year’s eclipse will be a rare event for current generations.
When and where will the total solar eclipse of 2024 be seen?
The so-called ‘Great American Eclipse’ will take place on April 8, 2024 and will be visible in many regions of the country, although unlike the annular eclipse of this year 2023, which will be observed in all its beauty in southern Mexico, next year it will be northern state to be able to fully enjoy this scene.
The UNAM Institute of Geophysics announced that this phenomenon can be seen in Mexico, the United States and Canada; However, it is hoped that our country will have the best weather conditions to see it.
While the October 14 eclipse was observed to a degree of 90% in Campeche and Chetumal, the 2024 eclipse is expected to be better appreciated in the port of Mazatlán. It is estimated to begin at 9:51:23 am, although the total period of the eclipse begins at 11:07:25 am and ends at 11:11:45 am.
Other cities in Mexico where the total eclipse can be seen are Durango, Torreón and Monclova, although with a shorter duration; However, in most of the country it will be observed as a partial eclipse. In Mexico City, the Moon is expected to cover 79% of the solar disk.
