Solar Eclipses 2019 2020

On July 2, Chile was able to witness one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the last time: the solar eclipse 2019.

Spectators from the region of Coquimbo, in the north of the country, were the lucky ones to witness the event with 100% visibility. Around 300,000 people, including foreigners and Chileans, came to the region to participate in the phenomenon.

Chile has been positioned as a world destination for astronomy, and not only for its natural geographical conditions, but luck has also played its part, since next year the country will again have the possibility of receiving a solar eclipse with 100% shadow strip. This time the south region Chile, Region of Araucanía, will host the new eclipse on Monday, December 14, 2020.

One of the advantages of this eclipse, unlike the past one of July 2, is that its scheduled in a much more favorable hour at 11 AM, when the sun is in the highest part of the sky. However, this means that the moon will be farther from the sun and therefore the cone of shadow will be smaller in terms of surface, reaching 110 km in length.

Although the solar eclipse 2020 will have visibility throughout the national territory, its percentage will be low in the north of the country in places such as Arica and Iquique. In the case of Temuco it will be total (100%), while in Santiago and Concepción, 80% and 94% respectively.

It is important to take into account the recommendations of the authorities for observing these events properly, that is, not looking directly at the sun at the time of the eclipse or doing so using special glasses and certified with the ISO 12312-2 label.