On Saturday, October 14, 2023, the people of Michoacán enjoyed a partial solar eclipse. The last time a similar phenomenon was observed was in August 2017. Various educational, government and civil society institutions formed the Eclipses Michoacán Local Committee so that as many people as possible could observe this eclipse safely.
In Morelia, thousands of people gathered at three venues: the UNAM Campus Morelia, the UNAM Centro Cultural Morelia and the Morelia Planetarium “Lic. Felipe Rivera.” Attendees observed the eclipse using telescopes with special solar filters and certified solar viewers, and enjoyed talks and cultural and hands-on activities for the whole family.
People of all ages enthusiastically observed the eclipse, and got excited when the maximum occultation of the Sun by the Moon occurred, 65% in Morelia. In other parts of the state, Eclipses Michoacán had observing venues in Zacapu, Ario de Rosales, Villa Madero and at around 30 schools in different municipalities.
The next solar eclipse visible in our state will be on Monday, April 8, 2024, in which the Moon will hide 80% of the Sun in Morelia. The Eclipses Michoacán Local Committee is already preparing so that everyone interested can observe it safely.
Eclipses Michoacán Local Committee
The Michoacán Local Committee includes different entities of the UNAM Campus Morelia, such as the Institute of Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics, the National School of Higher Studies Unidad Morelia, the Institute of Geophysics Unidad Michoacán, the Center for Research in Environmental Geography, the Research Unit on Cultural and Social Representations and the Coordination of Administrative Services, as well as government and civil society entities of Michoacán, such as the Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation of the State of Michoacán, the Morelia Planetarium “Lic. Felipe Rivera”, the Morelia Convention and Exhibition Center, and the Astronomical Society of Michoacán.
About IRyA, UNAM
The Instituto de Radioastronomía y Astrofísica (IRyA), or Institute for Radioastronomy and Astrophysics is an academic unit at UNAM, Campus Morelia, Mexico. We perform high-level and high-impact research in the areas of interstellar medium, star formation, evolved stars, high energy astrophysics, Galactic dynamics and structure, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. We contribute to the education of high-level human resources through a postgraduate program, and we have close contact with society through diverse outreach programs.
If you are interested in our Institute, visit the English version of our webpage, www.irya.unam.mx/web/en
Media contact:
Dr. René A. Ortega Minakata
Outreach and Science Communication
IRyA UNAM Campus Morelia
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Text: IRyA UNAM
Photos: Bernardo Cervantes Sodi, IRyA UNAM / René Ortega Minakata, IRyA UNAM / Laura Sillas, Unidad de Vinculación UNAM Campus Morelia
