Belizeans to see partial solar eclipse

If tomorrow you happen to see people gazing at the sky, it will not be because of the impending arrival of a U.F.O. On Thursday the sky will darken briefly as the moon and sun cross path. While the total solar eclipse will be most visible just off the coast of South America, Forecaster Fred Evans says Belizeans will only experience it partially.

Fred Evans, Forecaster, Belize Weather Bureau

“The moon and the sun will both get up at the same time, almost around six o?clock. The moon will take a little bit longer time to cross the sky, about twenty minutes longer from horizon to horizon. Their paths will not be identical, if their paths were identical we would have an eclipse for something like eleven hours. But for our intent purposes, in Belize here, the moon will go in front of the sun around.”

While it is expected that the total solar eclipse will last for some four minutes, Evans could not say for certain just how long the phenomenon will be visible in Belize. He advises those interested in viewing the spectacle to start looking skyward from around eleven forty tomorrow morning. Evans also cautions viewers not to look directly at the eclipse with the naked eyes for long periods at a time, as it could result in permanent vision loss.