30 years after the solar eclipse in Mexico: the day darkness suddenly fell

30 years ago, an astronomical phenomenon occurred in Mexico that caught the attention of scientists and fans around the world. the July 11, 1991, the inhabitants of the national territory witnessed a fantastic solar eclipse.

The strip of darkness covered 20 states completely and its partial phase was observed in the rest of the country.

During the seven minutes and two seconds that this event lasted (at its peak) Natural light isn’t the only thing that has changed, as in Baja California Sur, the temperature, which was 31 degrees Celsius, has dropped to just 6. degrees; while in other states it was less than zero degrees.

He also called “The show of the century” began his journey across the country in La Paz, Baja California Sur, later he was appreciated in the entities of Nayarit, Jalisco, Mexico and Chiapas. Finally, the phenomenon that started in Hawaii, United States, would end its journey through South America.

Although many people stopped their activities to enjoy the eclipse, others experienced it through a special of Television, same which was conducted by the famous journalist Jacobo Zabludovsky, Ramón Fregoso and Talina Fernández.

“Moment of great expectation, magic and science together”, is heard in the driver’s voice.

“That’s wonderful It’s a unique experience, flashes, people screaming, the horizon lights up, we have the night on us, but the sun continues over the rest of the planet, and you can see that just looking towards the horizon, there is like a general sunset, 360 degrees, ”Zabludovsky recounted.

Faced with the health risks linked to the observation of the phenomenon, the government of Mexico, then headed by Carlos Saltworks of Gortari, created the Intersecretariat Commission for the 1991 Eclipse, whose objective was to inform the population about the importance of avoiding directly appreciating the event.

Because it was a natural event of great interest to the population, observed by about 50 million people, the administration of Salinas de Gortari issued the following decree in the Official Journal of the Federation:

“The Intersecretariat Commission for the 1991 Eclipse is created on a temporary basis, the objective of which will be to coordinate the actions and measures to be adopted on the occasion of the solar eclipse of July 11, 1991, to facilitate the investigation. most effective, the study and observation of said phenomenon, as well as to avoid damage to the population “

“It’s something that nature offers us, but I’m very happy with the precautions that have been taken to take care of the health of Mexicans.Said the then president, interviewed in Temixco, Morelos, at the UNAM Solar Energy Laboratory.

The precautions the PRI spoke about concerned the steps citizens should take to enjoy the event.

“Scientists agreed that the solar corona was brighter than expected and extended, preventing total darkness.», Mentions a newspaper column The universal.

This astronomical phenomenon occurs when the The Earth, the Moon and the Sun align in space. The satellite completely hides the King of the Stars, so from the planet you can see the famous “ring of fire”.

Note that direct viewing of this event may result in wreaking havoc on eye health. Therefore, specialists recommend using special protection or applying indirect vision techniques when viewing the eclipse.

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