NEW YORK (AP) — The moon will seem to
gnaw at the sun’s glow
This weekend, when a partial solar eclipse occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, be sure to safeguard your eyes.
The solar eclipse will be observable on Saturday throughout Europe, western Africa, eastern North America, and northern Asia. The sun will appear significantly reduced over the northeastern part of the United States, Greenland, and eastern Canada.
During a partial
solar eclipse
, when the moon moves between the Sun and Earth, it creates a shadow on our planet. This partial obstruction makes the Sun look like a crescent. In contrast to a
total solar eclipse
, there’s no
totality
Therefore, according to experts, correct eyewear should be worn throughout the entire duration.
“Auriane Egal from the Planetarium in Montréal stated, ‘Eclipses are simply a play of light and shadows orchestrated by the sun, moon, and Earth.’”
According to NASA, solar and lunar eclipses occur between four to seven times each year. Because of the moon’s angled orbit around Earth, these events usually come in twos.
total lunar eclipse
changed the moon to a reddish hue in mid-March.
To view the eclipse, look up
astronomy websites
To check when it starts in your region. The event is scheduled at sunrise for much of the Americas, late morning for western Europe and Africa, and in the afternoon for eastern Europe and northern Asia.
As the eclipse unfolds, the sun will gradually shrink into a crescent shape as the moon seems to obscure it, leading to a potential decrease in daylight.
“It will seem akin to a notably overcast day,” stated Juan Carlos Muñoz-Matebs from the European Southern Observatory.
Verify the weather conditions prior to going outdoors. Opt for locations with unobstructed views free from skyscrapers and urban illumination, particularly in the Americas where the eclipse might coincide with sunrise.
Acquire eclipse glasses beforehand either at a nearby science museum or by purchasing them online from an approved vendor listed on the American Astronomical Society’s site to view the phenomenon safely.
Spectators can appreciate the event indirectly by crafting a pinhole projector from everyday items found around their homes. Alternatively, holding up a colander achieves a comparable result. Observing the area beneath a leafy tree may reveal crescent-shaped shadows cast by the sun filtering through the branches and foliage above.
A complete lunar eclipse paired with a partial solar eclipse will recur in September, offering optimal viewing opportunities for the solar event in Antarctica and New Zealand.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. However, the AP maintains full responsibility for all of its content.
