We are a little less than a week away from the so-called “great North American eclipse”, an astronomical phenomenon that can be seen from the 3 countries of North America, Canada, the United States and, mainly, Mexico.
If you cannot travel to Mazatlán or a destination in the north of the country, very close to CDMX you will have the option of going to the mythical archaeological zone of Teotihuacán, where the astronomical society “Teotihuacán under the stars” prepares a series of activities related to the total solar eclipse, astronomical event that will not be repeated in Mexico until March 30, 2052.
The solar eclipse will be next Monday, April 8, starting at 9:51 am and will last until 12:32 pm, according to Primoz Kajdic, doctor in astronomy and researcher at the UNAM Institute of Geophysics.
Photo: Facebook “National Institute of Anthropology and History”
The activities in Teotihuacán are planned to take place on Monday, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Mazatlán, Nazas, Cuatro Ciénegas, Durango, Torreón, Piedras Negras and Monclova will be the best destinations to witness this phenomenon, where the solar disk will be completely covered by the Moon, leaving them in total darkness for a few minutes.
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In the Valley of Mexico, a partial occultation is expected to be between 75% and 79%, mainly in Teotihuacán, an archaeological zone that has been linked to astronomy since its construction, since for the Teotihuacan people the study of the sky was crucial to understand the world and was very significant for their religion.
This Monday, “Teotihuacán under the stars” has prepared a special event to experience this astronomical phenomenon through walks, workshops, talks with experts and more.
Photo: Facebook “Teotihuacan under the stars”
To begin, they will have a talk at the Mi México Lindo restaurant to learn more about solar eclipses: their causes, their differences and what happens in them. There will also be a training/workshop to observe the eclipse, since it should not be done with the naked eye, but with special glasses.
Once you know how to do it safely, you will follow the astronomical route with the help of a certified guide. This walk will pass by the Pyramid of Quetzalcóatl, the Causeway of the Dead, the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalpapálotl, buildings that the Teotihuacans were built with impressive precision by following the movement of various celestial bodies.
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For example: did you know that the Pyramid of the Sun is oriented to the east and the Pyramid of the Moon to the west due to solar movement? Or that the Causeway of the Dead represents the lunar path and that the snakes of the Temple of Quetzalcoatl symbolize the movement of the stars? To understand the complex “city of the gods” do not miss this activity.
At noon, in front of the Pyramid of the Sun, the viewing of the eclipse will begin, guided by experts. The event concludes with a pre-Hispanic ritual of dance and music.
Photo: Facebook “Teotihuacan under the stars”
The cost of this event is $550 pesos per person, and $450 for students and teachers with a valid credential. Your payment includes the aforementioned activities, certified glasses, obsidian mirror pendant, access ticket to the archaeological zone and parking.
More information on Facebook: “Teotihuacan under the stars.”
Telephone: (55) 7685 3422.
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