Annular solar eclipse visible in China

2010-01-15 08:06 BJT

Special Report: Annular Solar Eclipse of 2010 January 15 |


Following the splendid total solar eclipse seen last year, an annular solar eclipse will occur on Friday. And people in more than 10 provinces of China will be able to witness the rare astronomic phenomenon.

 

The eclipse is expected to last a record of 11 minutes and 8 seconds at around 3 p.m. Astronomers say an eclipse lasting longer than this one won't happen until the year 3034. An Annular solar eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are exactly in line, but the apparent size of the moon's shadow is smaller than that of the visible disc of the sun.

Following the splendid total solar eclipse seen last year, an annular solar eclipse will occur on Friday.
Following the splendid total solar eclipse seen
last year, an annular solar eclipse will occur
on Friday.(File photo)

The covered sun therefore appears as a Ring of Fire with its rays appearing spread out from the silhouette of the moon. Astronomers advise those observing the celestial show to take appropriate precautionary measures.

The path of solar eclipse in Asia on January 15. For half the world, the Sun will be briefly reduced to a blazing ring surrounding a sombre disk on Friday, when an annular eclipse races from central Africa to eastern Asia, astronomers say.(AFP/Graphic)
The path of solar eclipse in Asia on January 15. For half the
 world, the Sun will be briefly reduced to a blazing ring 
surrounding a sombre disk on Friday, when an annular eclipse 
races from central Africa to eastern Asia, astronomers say.
(AFP/Graphic)