Most of Peru will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse early this afternoon, while the southern regions of Moquegua, Arequipa and Tacna will see an almost total eclipse. It all depends on clear skies, not always guaranteed at this time of the year on the coast. The best sites are in the high Andes of Argentina and Chile.
The eclipse will begin at 14:22 hours (Lima time) over La Serena, in Chile, reaching its maximum point at 15:38 h and complete its cycle at 16:45 over Buenos Aires. Suggestions for viewing an eclipse include using protective eyewear for welding torches.
Detailed information can be found on the websites of the European Southern Observatory, ESO, and at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. For ESO, click here; for NASA, click here. ESO operates three observing sites in the Atacama Desert in Chile — at La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor.
