Surat to eclipse A’bad with 100% celestial blackout

Surat is ready for Wednesday’s total solar eclipse — the longest of the century. The eclipse will be total in the city, which is bracing itself for a complete blackout. “All preparations to witness the rare celestial event are complete,” the district collector, Dilip Raval, said. “Special arrangements have been made at the Surat airport.”

The solar eclipse in Surat will start at 6:26 am, a few minutes after sunrise, and last 3 minutes and 17 seconds. The premature ‘sunset’ will occur when the moon fully covers the sun for a few minutes. Thousands of citizens and students are likely to assemble at the airport to watch the cosmic spectacle. Chief minister Narendra Modi himself will arrive at the airport at 5:45 am, said Raval. More than 10,000 persons are expected at the venue. Such an event will be seen again in Surat only in 2132.

Morning schools in Surat city and district will start two hours late on Wednesday to enable students to view the eclipse. Citizens from across the country and many foreigners have arrived in Surat to observe the eclipse. Officials said that more than 100 amateur and professional astronomers from Japan, Bulgaria, Romania and other countries have come to Surat. Hundreds of astronomers from across India have also converged on the city.