Researchers from the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (Inaoe) pointed out that the total solar eclipse of April 8 Not only will it be an extraordinary natural phenomenon, but it will also allow us to carry out various scientific experiments and learn much more about how the Sun works.
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Raúl Mújica García, astrophysicist and researcher at Inaoe, expert in the study of active nuclei of galaxies, warned that no direct observation of the eclipse is safe, so it can only be viewed with adequate protection or indirectly with dark cameras or telescopes with filters. suitable.
In interview with The Day, He pointed out that three years ago the National Eclipses Mexico Committee was formed, which brings together more than a dozen universities, research centers, scientific networks and planetarium associations to prepare this moment, offer truthful and scientific information to the population and warn about safe observation
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The so-called Mexican eclipse, because the best observation conditions will be in national territory, where it will begin at 10:56 a.m. on April 8, It will enter through Mazatlán, Sinaloa, continue towards Durango, and the lagoon region, and leave through Coahuila, to continue towards the United States and Canada
. It will be in a strip of these three northern states where the eclipse will be total.
Mújica García highlighted that NASA decided to install its headquarters for transmitting this eclipse in Torreón, Coahuila, whose maximum will be reached at 12:15 p.m. and will conclude at 1:36 p.m. He recalled that the next total solar eclipse that can be observed in Mexico will occur in 2052.
Because millions of basic education students are scheduled to return to school on April 8, he explained that the Committee took on the task of promoting the training of teachers, disseminators, librarians and volunteers, in order to guide the population. on the proper way to observe this astronomical phenomenon.
Not seeing directly
He reiterated that It should never be observed directly, as it can cause partial or total damage to the retina, which can be permanent; You should only look with lenses and scopes that comply with the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard for a period of 15 seconds and rest your eyes for three or four minutes.
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He urged the population to do not see the eclipse through the clouds, because it can clear; Do not use smoked glasses, do not use sunglasses or polarized glasses, nor x-rays or tinted films, since none of them adequately filter the ultraviolet and infrared light of the Sun, which is what can damage the retina.
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The specialist explained that in the valley of Mexico, it is estimated that the eclipse will be observed at 75 percent, and in the case of Puebla at 71 percent, while Veracruz will have an observation of 65 percent, but it will be visible everywhere. the country, although partially.