Eclipse ‘ring of fire’? Not this time; event will be partial – 10/02/2024 – Science

This Wednesday (2), it will be possible to see, in Brazilian skies, a partial solar eclipse. Part of South America, more specifically southern Argentina and Chile, will have the opportunity to observe the annular eclipse of the Sun.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun.

In the case of a partial eclipse, as the name suggests, we see a slice of the Sun covered by the Moon. In the case of an annular eclipse, the Moon is placed between the star and the Earth in order to produce a rim around it.

In Brazil, the eclipse will be visible in part of the Central-West, Southeast and South.

In São Paulo, for example, around 10% of the Sun will be covered. In Porto Alegre, the value rises to almost 27%.

How to see

Although it is easily visible —depending on where you are in the country—, some precautions are essential. The most basic and most important of them is not to look directly at the Sun. Looking directly can cause burns to the retina, an injury that is irreversible.

To observe, then, it is necessary to have some equipment that serves as a filter. An option to block much of the light would be welder’s glasses or welder’s filter, number 14 or larger (ISO 12312-2). In this case, it is appropriate to alternate observation with moments of rest — use for around 10 seconds and rest your eyes for a minimum of 1 minute.

Experts also do not recommend the use of sunglasses or X-ray plates, due to the lack of blocking ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, which cause damage to the eyes.

It is also possible to use indirect ways to observe the eclipse. See above.

Online Streaming

Another way — perhaps less exciting — to see the phenomenon is on the internet. The National Observatory will broadcast the astronomical event on its YouTube channel.