The dark side of the moon

THE eclipse of the sun which will be seen in the skies over the Balearics this coming Monday is an event which has not been witnessed in the region for 228 years. At about 10am, approximately 90 percent of the light of the sun will be obscured by the moon. An hour later, the eclipse will be at its height with the moon positioning itself directly in front of the sun. The resulting “ring of fire” effect with the rays of the sun seemingly brimming from the circumference of the moon, give the event its special name, that of an “anular” eclipse. Although visible from mainland Spain, the Balearics will be a privileged spot for viewers as the shadow that the moon will project onto the Earth will pass directly over Formentera and the south of Ibiza. It is at that point that the juxtaposition of the moon and the sun will result in a perfect anular eclipse. From other areas of the Balearics, the eclipse will appear as partial. If we could observe the eclipes from space, we could see the shadow of the moon leaving a trail some 270 kilometres in length moving across the face of the Earth at some 1'680 kilometres per hour. For most areas on the face of the planet which will be touched by the shadow, the eclipse will be seen in varying degrees a partial one. Scientists warn that the eclipse should not be observed with the naked eye, as this could lead to irreperable eye damage.