A rare annular solar eclipse will be visible across the world today, but only 10 percent of the eclipse can be seen from different parts of Nepal in the late afternoon from 4:46 and 4 seconds to 5:50 pm.
The annular eclipse also known as ring eclipse of the sun will be visible from Iberian Peninsula and across the African continent, and the partial eclipse can be seen from within the broader path of the moon’s penumbral shadow including Europe, Western Asia, the Middle East, India and most of Africa.
During the event, the moon will mask the sun like a black plate, leaving a bright, fiery rim. It occurs when a region on the earth’s surface is in line with the umbra, but the distances are such that the tip of the umbra does not reach the earth’s surface. This circumstance is due to the fact that the moon will be a bit farther from Earth than average.
It is important that people should avoid looking at the sun without eye protection.
The Rising Nepal quoted Madhav Prasad Pandey, assistant lecturer at Balmiki Campus, as saying that this eclipse was not a big one and will have less effect. “This solar eclipse can have personal effect caused by Hasta constellation.”
The people with Virgo zodiac sign should avoid watching the eclipse altogether and it is not favourable also for people of Leo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Taurus and Gemini under lunar calendar, said Pandey. “The eclipse will have positive impact to Aries, Cancer, Scorpio and Sagittarius.”
Pandey said that one should not eat and sleep during the effect of eclipse and the pregnant women should not touch their stomach because it may affect the fetus.
According to BP Koirala Planetarium and Observatory and Science Museum Development Committee, the following precautions should be taken while observing the solar eclipse.
* Solar eclipse should not be watched with naked eyes or with binocular.
* A very dark glass made for snow viewing must be used to see the eclipse.
* Ordinary glass must not be used at any cost.
* With the support of binocular, the reflected image of the sun can be projected on a screen.
* Exposed films can be used for viewing the solar eclipse, but it should be prepared by experts.
* X-ray plate and blackened glass should not be used for watching the solar eclipse.