Space: Awaiting total solar eclipse in North America, weather unknown
There is great anticipation in North America for a total solar eclipse that will turn day into night tomorrow in some parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada. In fact, the moon is expected to completely obscure the bright solar disk over a large area of the continent: According to NASA, more than 31 million Americans will be able to see the total solar eclipse in the affected area, weather conditions permitting. In fact, there is a “weather unknown” factor, explains Cristian Ferradas, researcher at the Geospatial Physics Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center: “If the sky is not clear, we could see changes in temperature and animal behavior as long as the phenomenon lasts, but we will not see the visual effect “see” the “100% solar eclipse”.
According to the US Weather Service, “optimal viewing conditions are unlikely due to expected cloud cover. There will be high, thin clouds on Monday morning.” and furthermore, these are expected to increase exactly at the time of the eclipse. But beyond the “visual spectacle” it represents for the general public, the expert said, this solar eclipse is also interesting from a scientific point of view in order to study relevant aspects related to the star. “The outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere, called the corona, is not normally visible directly, so this eclipse represents a unique research opportunity,” says the scientist from the agency’s space center in the US city of Greenbelt, Maryland. NASA will take the opportunity to analyze this corona directly, without the use of large telescopes and special instruments to create artificial eclipses.
Honduras: Two-hour early warning of total solar eclipse
Honduran authorities have issued a two-hour precautionary green warning for the total solar eclipse, which will also be visible in the Central American country. The measure applies today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time. The Honduran Civil Protection reminds us that “you must not observe the solar eclipse directly or use X-ray plates, sunglasses or tinted windows, as you risk serious damage to your vision.” The correct way to view the solar eclipse is to use special lenses that do not transmit ultraviolet B rays, which can cause permanent damage.
