The countdown to experience one of the most important astronomical events of the century principality reach the final stretch. A Andorrathe eclipse on August 12 will not be total, but that will not prevent it from being a date marked in the calendar of lovers of the subject. One of the best places to experience the phenomenon will be at Port of Cabús. The common de la Massana already heated engines in the Comapedrosa Astronomy Festival held in June, with a simulation of how to observe the eclipse, and a conference of the astronomer Josep Masallesalso known as the “eclipse hunter”.
The great particularity of the event is the time. It will begin around 2/4 8, and peak three minutes before 2/4 9 in the evening, just in time for sunset. This circumstance implies that it can only be grasped from elevated areas and, therefore, from the central valley it will be imperceptible. “You have to climb to the top of a mountain, you have to look for a place where the whole horizon is clear”, he emphasizes masalas In addition, Jordi Colellwho will lead the explanations on the day of the eclipse, adds that “the complete phase will not be visible” because the sun will already disappear from the horizon.
“You have to climb to the top of a mountain, you have to look for a place where the entire horizon is clear”
Whether by car, on foot or by bike, those who want to witness the phenomenon will have to climb to a high place, such as the Port of Cabúswhere a special day has been organized. The other condition that must be fulfilled by the chosen place is that it has a good view towards the Pallars. “You need to have a perspective to the west, and a little to the north, 15 degrees to the north”, specifies the astronomer.
“On a visual level, it changes whether you see the sun in the middle of the sky with nothing or in the middle of the mountains”
rabbit details that, apart from the port of Cabús, other places where you can predictably observe the eclipse will be the high area of the Madriu valley, Carroi peak, Cubil peak, Estanyó peak, Ordino-Arcalís solar viewpoint, Sorteny valley or Coll de Beixalís. “The important thing is that the point of the sunset must be lower than the point from which you look”, he remarks. Despite the specifics that will make it more laborious to enjoy the event, the astronomical guide also sees a positive element. “On a visual level, it makes a lot of difference if you can see the sun in the middle of the sky with nothing else or in the middle of the mountains”, he points out.
On the other hand, the fact that the eclipse is partial means that observers will not be able to take off their glasses at any time, since the disk of the sun will not be completely coveredwhile if it was total during the peak moment it could be seen without visual protection. masalas advise that “you must wear approved glasses with filters”because otherwise “the retina burns and is irreversible”. “You’ll notice that the intensity drops a little, but it doesn’t drop enough to allow you to watch,” he adds rabbit
In fact, the opticians contacted by this newspaper emphasize that in recent days an increase in sales of this product has already been noticed. The establishments take advantage of the occasion to make special offers, such as a Pasteur opticswhere each pair of glasses costs two euros but you can buy 10 for 15 euros, assuming a discount of five euros. Meanwhile, a Euro Optics, for each additional pair of glasses purchased, the price per unit will be one euro lower.
But all the preparations will be in vain if the weather is not favorable at the time of the eclipse. If there are clouds, it will depend on what type they are to be able to witness the phenomenon. “With storm clouds, it is difficult, if they are undone you can see”, he specifies. According to data from the stations of Andorra Meteorological Servicethere is likely to be weather variability at that time of year with some scattered showers. But to refine the forecasts, you will have to wait for the date to arrive.
CUT BETWEEN THE NECK OF THE BOTTLE AND THE BOTTLE
The Government advises people who want to travel to see the phenomenon to take into account the effects, and warns that the municipality will take the appropriate measures regarding the parking of vehicles in the aforementioned section.
