A rare event for fans of 90 Second Stars
Stargazers will not only get a chance to experience a spectacular total solar eclipse on April 8, but they'll also get a rare chance to see four planets and a comet in the sky during the day.
This rare event promises to give astronomers and scientists the opportunity to observe multiple celestial objects in a single event.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow over the Earth. During this event, the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned in a straight line, with the Moon in front of the Sun, covering its entire disk. This creates a temporary period of darkness known as totality.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Gary Swankin, Warren County astronomer general and former director of the Newark Museum Planetarium and Panther Academy Planetarium in Paterson. “It's something that, if you're lucky enough to see it, you'll never forget it,” he added.
North Jersey may be dark enough to see the planet Venus to the lower right of the Sun. “It's the third-brightest object in the sky, so there's a chance,” the astronomer told those looking to be in that area, as 92% of the total solar eclipse will be from there.
Four planets and a comet
Jupiter is visible to the upper left of the Sun during the day. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the lower right. However, to see them, the sky must be clear and there should be no light pollution, scientists suggest. “This area should have good conditions.”
For a comet, this is particularly unusual. This is 12P/Pons-Brooks, which is coming our way now, nicknamed the “Devil's Comet” because of its hornlike appearance. You can see it about 6 degrees to the right of Jupiter, Swankin said. “Depending on where you are, if the conditions are right, you can see him with the naked eye,” Swankin said. “But it's not very bright.”
However, he advises, “If you are looking for these items, be careful not to accidentally look at the sun without protection, as the potential for eye damage is high.” To view the eclipse, you will need to purchase a pair of solar eclipse glasses: ISO specification number 12312-2. If you are using binoculars, make sure they are equipped with a solar filter.
“If you're looking for these things, you have to be very careful,” Swankin said.
A string of pearls
At the moment when the Sun completely disappears and a fiery corona appears around the black disk, you can see a magical phenomenon, a row of luminous pearls at the edge of the disk.
Named after the 19th-century British astronomer Francis Bailey who discovered it, this spectacular eclipse phenomenon is caused by the sun's rays shining around the moon's surface.
“It is light, shining among the valleys of the mountains,” said Swankin. “From a distance it looks like a string of beads. very beautiful”.
The total duration can be anywhere from 90 seconds to four minutes depending on your location.
*With information from indiatoday and eu.northjersey
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