On 8th April next, Mexico You will witness an amazing astronomical phenomenon: a total solar eclipse. During this event, Google has prepared a surprise for users searching for information about the solar eclipse on its site. By entering the phrase “solar eclipse” in the search engine, users can enjoy a unique visual experience. Here we tell you about this interesting initiative.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU PUT “SOLAR ECLIPSE” INTO GOOGLE?
A Google search for “solar eclipse” will greet you with an amazing visual experience. The search engine displays animated images representing each phase of a solar eclipse, from the beginning of the solar eclipse to the moment of total solar eclipse.
This moving representation allows users to follow the evolution of the astronomical event step by step, even pausing momentarily at the moment a total eclipse occurs.
This interactive and educational effect provides users with an immersive experience that allows them to explore and better understand the solar eclipse process.
This is an innovative initiative by Google that allows users to enjoy and learn about the next solar eclipse that will occur on April 8 in Mexico.
When will solar eclipse 2024 be?
The partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 will occur at the following times:
- In Colombia, the eclipse will begin at 12:39 PM and end at 2:35 PM local time. During this period, you can see how the moon partially covers the sun in the Colombian cities of Barranquilla, Cartagena, Montería, San Andrés, Santa Marta, Sincelejo and Valledupar.
- In Ecuador, the event will start at 10:57 am and end at 12:43 pm local time. However, visibility is limited to the Galapagos Islands, where 3.87% obscuration of the solar disk can be seen.
- In Venezuela, the partial solar eclipse will be poorly visible and only visible in some areas in the north of the country, starting near Matajuna at 1:38 p.m. and not visible near Aves Island at 3:41 p.m.
What is a solar eclipse?
When the Moon is positioned between the Sun and the Earth and casts a shadow on our planet, creating a total or partial blockage of light in certain areas, it is called a solar eclipse. These must be aligned for a total solar eclipse to occur.
On the other hand, a partial eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are not perfectly aligned. The star has a dark shadow on only part of its surface.
The translational motions of the Earth and its natural satellite indicate variations in the intensity of the shadow cast by the Moon on the planet during a solar eclipse. As the Moon is closer to the Earth, its shadow is more intense and has a smaller diameter.
It occurs somewhere on Earth for about one and a half years. A partial eclipse, when the moon does not completely cover the sun, occurs somewhere on the planet at least twice a year. Key Difference: A lunar eclipse can be seen from all the terrestrial areas visible to a satellite, while a solar eclipse can be seen from the part of the Earth where the Moon casts its shadow.
How long does a solar eclipse last?
The duration of a solar eclipse can vary, but generally, it is a total solar eclipse, from beginning to end. However, totality, i.e. the period when the Moon completely covers the Sun, lasts about 10 minutes at a particular location.
In contrast, a partial solar eclipse, in which only part of the Sun is covered by the Moon, lasts several hours as the Moon slowly moves in front of the Sun's disk.
It is important to note that the exact duration of a solar eclipse depends on many factors such as the relative position of the Earth, Moon and Sun at the particular time.