How to see annular solar eclipse in Brazil: date and time – 10/12/2023 – Science

In ancient times, for millennia, many cultures around the world related solar eclipses to plagues, the omen of something bad or punishment from the gods. With the flourishing of science and technology in the 17th century, however, the myths created little by little disappeared to give way to what today has become the event, a spectacle of nature, but which still causes amazement and admiration wherever it goes.

Next Saturday (14), Brazilians will have another opportunity to follow an annular solar eclipse, when the Moon covers the star, but leaves a ring of fire around it. Not all regions of Brazil, however, will be able to witness the full splendor of this phenomenon. And not for long either.

Ask your questions below regarding the last solar eclipse visible in the country this year.

What will the solar eclipse on October 14th be like in Brazil?

This Saturday’s solar eclipse will be of the annular type, which occurs when the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun, leaving a ring of light visible around it, which is called a ring of fire. The last time this event could be observed from Brazil It was on November 3, 1994, almost 29 years ago, when the southern region of the country saw totality, that is, the ring of fire was perfect in the sky.

Where will it be possible to observe the annular eclipse in its entirety?

The eclipse can be observed throughout the Brazilian territory in its partiality. However, the ring of fire can only be observed in the North and Northeast regions, starting in Amazonas, passing through Pará, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, a small part of Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba. The only capitals on the path to annulment are Natal (RN) and João Pessoa (PB).

When is the best time to observe the eclipse?

The annular eclipse will begin to be seen in full in Amazonas at around 12:05 pm, moving on to Pará, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Pernambuco, until around 5:50 pm.

Will residents of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro see the phenomenon?

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are outside the range of eclipse totality, that is, when the Sun is covered by the lunar disk. Therefore, the two states will see a partial eclipse, with around 40% of the solar disk shadowed by the Moon. The further away from the place where the Moon will pass over the Earth, the smaller the visible eclipse band will be. The best time to observe the phenomenon will be at 4:49 pm (Brasília time) in São Paulo and at 4:51 pm in Rio.

The problem for São Paulo residents will be the cloudy weather. According to the website Climatempo, the sky on Saturday in the capital of São Paulo is expected to be covered by clouds and drizzle, with a maximum temperature of 18ºC. If it stays like this, viewing the eclipse will not be possible. Inmet (National Institute of Meteorology), however, predicts some sun openings, which would make observation possible.

In Rio de Janeiro, at least, the forecast is that the afternoon will have sun between the clouds, giving the opportunity for the locals to watch the event.

Is it possible to observe the eclipse with the naked eye?

According to Filipe Monteiro, astronomer at the National Observatory, care must be taken when observing the Sun and it is not recommended to observe the eclipse with the naked eye because it can cause burns to the retina, an irreversible injury.

“If it is a total eclipse of the Sun, that is, when it is completely eclipsed by the Moon, it would even be possible, but it is not ideal because that event lasts a few minutes, and if you are careless you could have your eye affected. Even more so in this case case, which is an annular eclipse, that is, the Sun will not be totally eclipsed by the Moon. So, we will have the ring of fire and the Sun’s light will still be reaching Earth, even in the regions of totality of the eclipse. That’s why , a specific filter must be used for these cases.”

What types of material can be used as a filter?

The astronomer says that there are some filters on the market that serve to block a large part of the light coming from the Sun, such as welder’s glass, or welder’s filter, number 14 or greater (ISO 12312-2). “This filter will block most of the sunlight and only a very small amount will be able to pass through the filter, and this amount is enough so that it does not harm our eyes”, says Monteiro.

“But it is worth highlighting that the welder filter must be used with caution, and it is recommended to use it for short periods of time, alternating observation with a moment of ‘rest’. Thus, anyone who only has the welder filter at hand, It is recommended to use it for observation for about 10 seconds and rest your eyes for a minimum of 1 minute. Therefore, give preference to filters and/or instruments appropriate for solar observation”, highlights the astronomer.

Can I observe the eclipse with sunglasses or an X-ray plate?

No. Experts do not recommend the use of sunglasses or X-ray plates because these materials do not usually block ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, which cause eye damage.

Can anyone with binoculars, a spyglass or a telescope look directly?

The astronomer at the National Observatory emphasizes that anyone who has binoculars, a telescope or some other optical instrument necessarily needs a specific filter to protect their eyes. “Using these devices is even more dangerous than looking directly at the Sun with the naked eye. When you use an optical instrument, it will enhance and concentrate the Sun’s light even more at one point. Therefore, if you look with binoculars, a telescope or a telescope, you will have a much greater, much greater harmful effect.”

Filipe Monteiro says that if the person does not have the confidence or knowledge to use this equipment, it is best not to use it. Another tip is to look for astronomy groups or clubs to find out how to use it in the best way.

What are the forms of indirect observation?

Those who do not have the ideal filter for direct observation of the annular eclipse can use indirect viewing techniques. One of them is to make a hole in a paper or cardboard and this is then positioned to point towards the Sun. Thus, the image of the Sun is projected onto a screen behind the sheet, which can be a wall, other paper or any clean surface . Under no circumstances should you look at the Sun through the hole made in the paper.

Another method is to use a cardboard box where a hole is made in one of the walls, through which sunlight enters, which is then projected onto the opposite wall. You can leave the box uncovered or make a small window through which you can check the Sun’s projection.

Will there be a live broadcast of the eclipse?

Yes. The National Observatory is coordinating an integrated national and international action to observe and transmit the annular eclipse. In this action, international partners will provide images of the eclipse when it takes place in the western part of the USA, part of Central America and Colombia. When the Moon’s shadow hits Brazil, it will be Brazilian astronomers’ turn to transfer their images to international partners.

For the public, this action will transform a 4-minute event into a large 6-hour event. The broadcast on the National Observatory’s YouTube channel will begin at 11:30 am, when the annular eclipse will begin on the west coast of the USA, and will follow the entire course of the annularity until it reaches its end on the east coast of Brazil, around 5:50 pm (Brasília time).

Will planetariums provide observation equipment?

Yes. Some planetariums across the country will have special sessions and help with viewing the phenomenon.

Ibirapuera Planetarium, in São Paulo
The planetarium at Parque do Ibirapuera, in the capital of São Paulo, will not provide equipment for the public to observe the Southern annular eclipse, but will hold a special session “Eclipse in sight”, at 11 am, in the projection room, where astronomer Marcelo Rubinho will explain the aspects about this event that the Sun will provide, as well as other curiosities. Age classification is free and tickets can be purchased on UrbiaPass: R$15 (half price) and R$30 (full price).
Address: av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, s/n – Gate 10 – Ibirapuera, São Paulo (SP)

Planetarium at Parque do Carmo, in São Paulo
The program starting at 3pm will focus on observing the solar eclipse. The image of the phenomenon will be projected with the telescope and the sunspotter (image of the Sun on paper). The activity is planned for the patio in front of the planetarium, and is free. If there is bad weather, there will be an online projection.
Address:r. John Speers, 137 – Itaquera, São Paulo (SP)

Abrahão de Moraes Observatory, of the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences of USP (IAG/USP), in Vinhedo (SP)
From 3pm onwards, the Abrahão de Moraes Observatory, from IAG/USP, in the city of Vinhedo, will be open for monitoring and observing the eclipse. The location will have equipment and instructors available to the public who has registered in advance. Places are already sold out.

Rio de Janeiro Planetarium
The Planetarium will make professional telescopes available to the public for observation, under the supervision of local astronomers. Special glasses were also ordered for viewing the eclipse, which will be distributed to attendees from 1pm. The event is free.
Address: Rua Vice-Governador Rúbens Berardo, 100 – Gávea, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Belo Horizonte (MG) Knowledge Space
From 3pm to 6pm, the astronomy team at the Knowledge Space at Esplanada do Mineirão will provide a telescope with a special filter for the public to observe the eclipse safely. The activity is free and depends on weather conditions.
Address: Esplanada do Mineirão – av. President Carlos Luz, São Luiz, Belo Horizonte (MG)

City Park, Natal (RN)
One of the two capitals that will be able to watch the annular eclipse, Natal (RN) will hold an event open to the population in Parque da Cidade, organized by the Barca dos Céus Planetarium, of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), in partnership with the Secretariat of Environment and Urbanism (Semurb).
The event will take place from 2pm to 6:30pm and will include educational activities explaining aspects of the dynamics of the Sun-Earth-Moon system and what will be observed during the eclipse, as well as cultural activities.
The event is free and open to the public, but everyone needs to bring their special filter for observation. No optical devices will be available.
Address: event square at Parque da Cidade, in front of the administration building

Paraíba Astronomy Club, João Pessoa (PB)
The other capital that will have a full view of the annular eclipse is João Pessoa, in Paraíba. The Paraíba Astronomy Club will be at the Hotel Globo, in the historic center of the city, from 2:30 pm to assist and answer questions from the public about the event. But people need to bring their own special glasses for observation.
Address: Hotel Globo, Praça São Pedro Gonçalves, 7, Varadouro, João Pessoa (PB)

When will the next eclipses be observed in Brazil?

On October 28th there will be the last visible eclipse in the country: a penumbral lunar eclipse.

In 2024, three eclipses will be visible: two lunar and one solar. Between March 24th and 25th there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse. Between September 17th and 18th, a partial lunar eclipse. And on October 2, a partial solar eclipse, which will have visibility of about 15% of the lunar shadow.