(CNN Spanish) – This Saturday a Partial solar eclipse Called the “black moon”. We tell you what, how, and where to look.
What is a solar eclipse “black moon”?
A solar eclipse This occurs when the moon is located between the sun and the earth. This creates shade that partially or completely blocks out sunlight. As the eclipse occurs on April 30, when it is partial, “the sun and moon are not properly aligned, so the moon does not completely obscure the sun”, NASA explains.
Why is it called the “black moon”?
It is more related to the phase of the Moon than to the eclipse.
The second new moon of the month, based on a black moon, is something that rarely happens. It works like a leap year. It usually takes 29 days to complete a lunar cycle, but our months can be a bit longer. So sometimes, every 32 months, two full moons or two new moons. The second full moon in a month is called the blue moon and the second full moon is called the black moon.
Where and when can a partial solar eclipse be observed?
This astronomical phenomenon can be found in Antarctica, the southern tip of South America, and in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. According to the Space Portal, which specializes in space issues, “the eclipse will begin at 2:45 pm.
“At sunset in the west on the evening of April 30, most parts of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, western Paraguay, southwestern Bolivia, southeastern Peru and a small part of the sky will be partially obscured by clear skies. Southwest Brazil,” NASA said.
How can I safely watch the eclipse?
This is very important: you can not see the sun directly.
Any sight of the sun shining is not only embarrassing, it is dangerous. Direct exposure to the sun’s powerful glare can damage the light-sensitive part of the eye, the retina.
Even small amounts of exposure can cause blurred vision or temporary blindness. The problem is, you do not know if this is temporary. You need eclipse glasses, which are regulated by international safety standards.
Whether you use cardboard eclipse glasses or a hand cover with a rectangular viewfinder, the most important feature is the filter.
“Filters that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard reduce sunlight to a safe and comfortable level, similar to that achieved by a full moon, and prevent harmful UV and infrared radiation,” said Rick Feinberg of the U.S. Astronomical Society.
“Sunscreens that meet this standard are almost 100,000 times darker than normal sunglasses, and those glasses do not block infrared rays.”
With information from Ashley Strickland of CNN and Victoria Fernandez Bellido of CNN en Español.