The 15,150 km journey of the moon’s shadow across the earth is the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century and will not be surpassed in duration for the next 123 years.
The 15,150 km journey of the moon’s shadow across the earth is the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century and will not be surpassed in duration for the next 123 years, till another total solar eclipse on June 13, 2132.
The eclipse today will last for in totality for six minutes and 39 seconds. The sunrise in Ahmedabad will be at 6.06 am, but the eclipse will have already begun, at 5.35 am. The peak of the eclipse will be at 6.24 am, with 97 per cent totality, and will end at 7.20 am. Sadly, this awe-inspiring event will be visible only from certain parts of the country, Surat and Baroda being among the main.
“The next time this sort of total solar eclipse passing through the Indian mainland will be in the year 2114, that is 105 years later. Most of the people around now will not be there to see it,” said Manoj Pai, president, Gujarat Astronomy Club.
But that does not mean that the citizens of Ahmedabad cannot share in the experience at all. “The total solar eclipse is a beautiful phenomenon to spread scientific awareness in society. This is an important occasion to see the impact of science and technology as well as education. I have studied and heard much about this, but unfortunately will not be able to make it to Surat as I have to attend school,” said a student, Tappan Joshi. “But I plan to catch it online.”
The live telecast of the eclipse can be viewed on eclipse.astronomy2009.org.cn/english, for all those who cannot make it to Surat, Baroda or Patna in time. Justin.tv will also be broadcasting the live telecast of the solar eclipse.
“We have been encouraging people to view the eclipse as it holds special importance in our scientific and human history,” said Jayanti Khemchandani, secretary, astronomy club.
Two other websites where information on the total solar eclipse can be found are gujarattourism.com (Gujarat Tourism) and scity.org/total_solar_eclipse.aspx
(Gujarat Science City).
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}