26 January 2006 - Eclipse Of The Sun

Gemoetry of Solar Eclipse

Today 26th January we will be ablt to witness an eclipse of the sun over Malaysia. MOSTI however reported that in Malaysia we will only see partial eclipse and percentage of coverage in your area can be refered from the table released by MOSTI. Those staying in Kuching, Lahad Datu and Tawau will be able to see more of the eclipse because it will be more than 80% coverage. In other towns it will be more than 50%. The eclipse will start at about 4.30 in the evening.

In both graphics below taken from MOSTI, the red line mark the path of the eclipse on 26 January 2009.

What is solar eclipse?

Picked from MOSTI webpage: "This phenomenon happens when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, but doesn’t completely cover it because 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 (Figure Below)".

It is very dangeruous to look straight into the sun during the eclipse because the ray can be damaging to the human eyes. MOSTI also gives 5 methods of viewing the eclipse HERE. However there is still another safer way that filling water in a basin and look into the basin.

Activities

If you are staying in and around Klang Valley, you can take toe opportunity to join the activities at the National Planetarium in KL. There is a daily Solar Eclipse program starting on 20th January and end 30th January with a hive of activities. Partial Solar Eclipse Program will be organised today (26th) starting at 4.00 p.m. See the schedule HERE.

Live telecast of the eclipse from Kuala Lumpur can also be viewed HERE. while from Lampung HERE.

References to 26th January 2009 eclipse.

NASA website.
Gerhana Matahari Separa di Malaysia.