Wonders of the Night Sky

Tomorrow, August 12, Cuban skies will be the stage for two astronomical phenomena: a partial solar eclipse and an alignment of six planets. Both events will occur on the same day, though at different times.

The solar eclipse will be observable at noon. It will begin at 12:15 p.m. The moment of greatest concealment will be at 12:26 p.m. The Moon will cover only one percent of the solar disk. The phenomenon will conclude at 12:38 p.m. It will be a subtle event, barely perceptible to the naked eye.

The planetary alignment will occur in the early morning, before dawn. Six planets will appear in the sky: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Mars and Saturn will be the easiest to see with the naked eye. Mercury and Jupiter will appear very low, near the horizon. To observe Uranus, binoculars will be needed. Neptune will require a telescope.

Authorities recommend taking precautions to observe the eclipse. You should never look directly at the Sun without special protection. Eyesight can suffer irreversible damage. For the planetary alignment, it is suggested to find a place with a clear horizon. That way, you can enjoy this double spectacle that the Cuban sky will offer.