Sky enthusiasts are in for a treat this Sunday with a day full of extraordinary celestial events, highlighted by a partial solar eclipse visible in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The eclipse will reach its peak at 3:41 p.m. ET, but the full spectacle will unfold between 1:29 p.m. and 5:53 p.m. ET as the moon passes in front of the sun, creating the illusion of the sun having a “bite” taken out of it.
However, this captivating event is somewhat exclusive. It will mainly be observable from the South Pacific, New Zealand, Antarctica, and certain areas of Australia, according to Jason Rhodes, chief scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Rhodes explained the unique nature of our Earth-Moon-Sun system, noting that due to their respective sizes and distances, the Sun and Moon appear roughly the same size from Earth. This alignment sometimes allows the moon to partially or fully block the sun, resulting in an eclipse.
Safety precautions are essential for anyone planning to watch the eclipse. Viewers should use certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international standard, to protect their eyes from the sun’s intense light. Regular sunglasses will not suffice, as eclipse glasses are designed to be 100,000 times darker. For those using telescopes, binoculars, or cameras, a special solar filter must be applied to prevent severe eye injury.
Meanwhile, those in the Northern Hemisphere will have their own celestial phenomenon to look forward to. Saturn will be at opposition at 2 a.m. ET on Sunday. This alignment puts Saturn on the opposite side of Earth from the sun, offering an optimal view. Without a telescope, Saturn will shine brightly like the most luminous star, but with a telescope, its iconic rings become visible. This is an excellent year to view Saturn’s opposition since the moon will not be too bright, offering optimal viewing conditions.
Looking ahead, the remainder of the year is packed with astronomical events, including three more full moons in October, November, and December, and several meteor showers. The Harvest, Beaver, and Cold moons will light up the sky in the coming months. Meteor enthusiasts can anticipate peak sightings of the Draconids, Orionids, Taurids, Leonids, Geminids, and Ursids showers.
For those eager to delve deeper into the wonders of our universe, signing up for the Wonder Theory science newsletter provides a gateway to ongoing scientific discoveries and insights. With so many opportunities to explore the sky, the upcoming months hold promise for amateur astronomers and stargazers alike.