On 2 July, at 4:39 pm, a total solar eclipse will completely darken parts of the north of Chile.
The eclipse has led to a boom of astrotourism in the area and sparked interest locally and abroad.
Specifically, the towns of La Serena, Coquimbo, Vicuña, La Higuera, Paihuano, Andacollo and Río Hurtado are expecting approximately 400 thousand tourists ahead of what president Sebastián Piñera called “official solar eclipse season”.
The head of State himself might travel to witness the event in one of the many observatories located in Coquimbo, but La Moneda is yet to confirm his visit.
Depending on location, the eclipse will last from 20 seconds to 2 minutes and 36 seconds. While the Sun is blocked, Mercury, Mars and Venus will appear in the sky.
This year’s eclipse will be followed by another one on 14 December 2020, in the south.
