Solar Eclipse
What is solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so that the sun is fully or partially blocked.
Types of solar eclipse:
A total eclipse occurs when the sun is completely blocked by the moon.
An annular eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are exactly in line, but the apparent size of the moon is smaller than that of the sun. Hence the sun appears as a very bright ring, or annulus, surrounding the outline of the moon.
A partial eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are not exactly in line and the moon only partially blocks the sun.
Time of occurrence and duration of total solar eclipse in 2009 Wednesday 22nd July 2009 at 6.27am for 6 minutes 39 seconds (Internet source: In Nepal solar eclipse can be seen at the given time: first contact, 5.44 am, last contact 7.42 am, and total eclipse will be at 6.42 am)
Places of occurrence
All places in Bhutan. In the rest of the world it can be seen from Northern India eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, northern Myanmar, central china and the Pacific Ocean, including Ryukyu Islands, Marshall Islands and Kiribati
What will be the experiences of total solar eclipse like?
During a total eclipse, day time becomes twilight for a few minutes. Stars are visible and it seems like dusk or dawn. The sun itself, although covered, emits a glowing light that is only visible during an eclipse. This is called the corona and is composed of super-heated gases that are emitted millions of kilometers into space.
One need to be careful not to look at the corona with naked eyes as you can blind yourself. The solar eclipse that will occur on July 22, 2009, will be a total eclipse and also the longest of the 21st century. The next solar eclipse of this magnitude will be on June 13, 2132.
The best place to watch the 2009 total solar eclipse will be in China, and some astronomers and enthusiasts are already planning their trip over there.
It is once in a lifetime experience so do not miss it!
Observing Solar Eclipse safely
Introduction:
Under normal conditions, the sun is so bright that it is difficult to stare at it directly, so there is no tendency to look at it in a way that might damage the eye. However, during an eclipse, with so much of the sun covered, it is easier and more tempting to stare at it. Unfortunately, looking at the sun during an eclipse is just as dangerous as looking at it outside an eclipse.
Permanent eye damage can result from looking at the disk of the Sun directly, or through a camera viewfinder, or with binoculars or a telescope even when only a thin crescent of the Sun remains. The retina is delicate and irreplaceable. There is little or nothing a retinal surgeon will be able to do to help you. Never look at the Sun outside of the total phase of an eclipse unless you have adequate eye protection.
Do’s during the solar eclipse: Watch solar eclipse through the following safe method
Don’ts during the solar eclipse
Some Myths about Solar Eclipse
A pregnant women should
not go outside during an eclipse, and should fasten a safety pin under their
shirt above their belly, so that their child would not be born with a cleft lip.
The ancient
Chinese believed that a dragon trying to swallow the Sun, to this day, a solar
eclipse is "resh" or "Sun-eat" for them. The Chinese would shoot fireworks and
bang gongs to scare the dragon away if they know a solar eclipse is coming it
seems. Same is the belief in Bhutan.
In India that all
cooked food left uneaten during an eclipse becomes impure as without the sun
light the number of germs increase. They also believe that one should take bath
at the beginning and end of the eclipse, and that all important decision and
performing auspicious ceremonies should be postponed.
Japanese would cover the wells so that the demons in the cover of darkness during the eclipse would not drop poison into them.
In Romania people believed that wolves and demons ate up the sun during the eclipse. To frighten them away they would light up huge fires and ring church bells throughout the eclipse