Viewing events, eyewear urged for 'Ring of Fire'

File-In this Jan.15,2010 file photo showing a combination of three separate photographs, the various stages of an annular solar eclipse seen over Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon blots out all but a ring around the sun. This year's solar show can be viewed from eastern Asia to parts of North America. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena,File)

05/20/2012
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The western United States and eastern Asia will be treated this weekend to a rare solar spectacle when the moon slides across the sun, creating a "ring of fire."

But scientists caution would-be viewers to be very careful because the sun's damaging rays will remain powerful even during the annular solar eclipse. The advice: Either wear specially designed protective eyewear or attend a viewing event — at a planetarium or amateur astronomy club, for example — to avoid risk of serious eye injury.

The solar spectacle will first be seen in eastern Asia around dawn Monday, local time. Weather permitting, millions of early risers in southern China, northern Taiwan and southeast Japan will be able to catch the ring eclipse.

Solar eclipse over Cambodia

The moon casts a shadow at the sun blocking it partially in a partial solar eclipse over a statue in Mondulkiri province, a bout 520 kilometers (315 miles) northeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Solar eclipse can be seen over Southeast Asia on Jan 26

First Solar Eclipse Of 2009 On Jan 26

Fri, 01/23/2009
Submitted by Darpana Kutty
TopNews.in (India)

A partial solar eclipse would be visible in south-eastern parts of India on January 26.

The eclipse would be total in island groups Sumatra and Borneo of Indonesia. It would also be visible from southern Africa, northwestern Antarctica, Australia and Southeast Asia.

The eclipse would begin at 10.27 am IST. The eclipse would end at 4:31 pm IST when the moon’s shadow finally leaves the earth at local sunset point very close to south of Cambodia in the south China sea. The best time to watch the eclipse in India will be between 3 pm and 3.30 pm.

While talking about this, Varah Mihir Scientist Heritage and Research Centre's Astronomist Sanjay Kethwas said, “A total of four solar and lunar eclipses will occur this year.” Kethwas added that a lunar eclipse would be occurred on December 31 this year but as it will start appearing after mid night so technically it will recorded in January 2010.

The sun, moon and earth are placed in a line during an eclipse, which is categorised as total, partial or annular depending on the distance between the moon and earth.

Experts had already warned people not to look at the eclipse without protecting their eyes. According to them, a good way to observe the eclipse is to create a pinhole camera that is pointed at the sun and its image projected onto a darkened screen.

Solar filters can also be used to observe the eclipse. They also feel that it is not safe to use photo-negatives, X-ray photos, sunglasses or stained glass to observe the eclipse.