Are you ready for Saturday's big ring of fire eclipse? Or, do you even know that it's happening, or what it is?
Well, there are many concerns, questions and superstitions surrounding eclipses, and we managed to clear up a few of those today with a well known science teacher. Jomarie Lanza did what most of us would do, she spoke to her father about it:
The last visible Solar Eclipse, dates back to August 21st 2017, visible across the Americas, but it lasted only 3 minutes.
So what should we expect from Saturday's phenomena compared to the last eclipse? Physics and Science Teacher Jason Lanza answered our questions today.
Jason Lanza, Physics/Science Teacher
"We are experiencing a solar eclipse on Saturday and this eclipse is actually not a total eclipse technically it is a partial eclipse even though the moon will pass completely in front of the sun casting the shadow on us, but according to the distance because the orbits of the moon and our earth are actually elliptical. The moon's orbit is elliptical around the earth and the earth's orbit is elliptical around the sun. Now in this particular case the moon will be a little bit further away and as a result of that it won't seem as though it is covering the sun completely and as a result of that it will be this ring around the moon, technically called the ring of fire."
This is how a ring of fire effect looks - and you won't see another for 23 years.
But, be careful how you watch this one.
Before you start to rummage around your homes for that dusty old telescope, you may want to rethink the potential impacts this eclipse can have on one's eyesight, given that the sun will not be completely hidden by the moon.
Jason Lanza, Physics, Science Teacher
"So that in itself makes it a little bit dangerous to actually view this particular eclipse in that since the moon doesn't cover the sun completely we'll still have sunlight coming up at us and prolonged exposure looking at it for too long can actually damage your eyes."
"So in this annular eclipse that we are having on Saturday the moon won't cover the sun completely and as a result of that it is a little bit hazardous to look at it directly so we would recommend either certified eclipse glasses or looking at it using dark welders glasses also. There are different grades please protect your eyes and use the darkest possible. and the best way even though it takes away from actually looking at it directly is to just make a Box with a hole on top and a white sheet of paper to serve as the screen and you can actually see the sun's figure being of course obscure, being covered by the given moon."
The eclipse will be visible across most of the country on Saturday morning - except the south - and will be best seen at 11:29 am - 11:34 am in Corozal. And Orange Walk, 11:31 - 11:37 in Belize City, 11:31 - 11:36 in Caye Caulker and San Pedro, and 11:32- 11:35 in Belmopan -
Despite being a partial eclipse it will still be visible throughout North, Central and South Americas. And apart from the scientific perspective of the event is there anything else out of the ordinary we should be looking for or expecting? Lanza says that it is highly unlikely but don't be surprised is a few animals begin to portray strange behaviors.
Jason Lanza, Physics, Science Teacher
"This thing should start in Belize at 9:50 Central standard time so I believe that's around 10:50 our time locally. And this thing should last from the point of initiation to the point that it completely moves away it should last till maybe around 2:00 or so in the afternoon."
"Everybody should know that this doesn't have any superstitious any supernatural effects on any of us. So take for example you might see the chickens and typically some wilds animals might behave a bit strangely because it darkens. They think it will be sunset already and night is coming in so they might, you know, go into their coop and roost. But other than that for humans there is no supernatural impact on us. I know for a fact that eclipses have been misunderstood. certain given civilization's way before the time of Christ used to actually believe a dragon would come along and swallow the sun and as a result of that these guys would make a lot of noise and fire cannons in order to drive away the dragon. And then of course our Mayan ancestors believed in human sacrifices to appease the gods. Even in the movies, Apocalypto there was a scene there with the eclipse, but thankfully we are more scientific minded I hope and as I mentioned in this time and age that we tend to google everything we should know that this is just a natural phenomenon whereby the shadow of the moon will be cast upon the earth."
"Other than that, well Safe viewing of the eclipse! And I hope we enjoy it Safely."
The Next large solar eclipse will be happening in April 2024, but won't be visible in Belize.
