SOLAR ECLIPSE ON DEC 26
Phenomenon to plunge parts of country into darkness for 2½ mins
MALAYSIANS will experience daylight darkness for 2½ minutes, as the solar eclipse passes across Malaysia again on Dec 26.
National Planetarium director Anita Bahari said the phenomenon was expected to occur after mathematical calculation and information obtained from United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
“The phenomenon is expected to start at 10.26am until 3.30pm. The partial eclipse will take place nationwide, save for Tanjung Piai in Johor and Serian in Sarawak, where the annular eclipse will occur,” Anita said yesterday.
An annular eclipse happens every 20 years, when the moon covers the sun’s centre, causing the sun’s visible outer edge to form ring-shaped shadow or “annulus” around the moon.
This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun, the moon and the earth are aligned.
The National Planetarium, Tanjung Piai Johor National Park, Tourism Malaysia and Pontian District Council will also organise Solarfest 2019 in Tanjung Piai starting Dec 24 until the day of the eclipse.
Tanjung Piai, which is a recognised Ramsar site, is also the southernmost tip of mainland Asia.
“Tanjung Piai is the official location for this fest, as it is expected for the annular eclipse to occur there.
“There, we are expecting a crowd of up to two million on the day of the occurrence.
“We will be distributing free mylar eclipse glasses for the first 10,000 visitors. The public can also get their glasses here in planetarium before going to the venue,” Anita said.
Among others, Solarfest 2019 will host various shows and programmes including the setting up of a split-screen during the eclipse which will project live eclipse movement across eight locations nationwide and dialogue sessions with astronomers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.
Participants can also learn more about astrophysics, astrophotography
and participate in solar exhibitions, solar boot camp and other topics related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics throughout the three-day event.
Also on the itinerary is the planting of 2,000 mangrove shoots to make an entry into
Malaysia Book of Records.
Simultaneously, National Planetarium will also be live screening the annular eclipse in Serian.
“We expect the annular eclipse to occur in Tanjung Piai at around 1.21pm until 1.23pm and at 1.46pm until 1.50pm in Serian.
“This natural phenomenon had occurred last 21 years, specifically on Aug 22, 1998, and it will take another 20 to 22 years for it to happen again.
“I believe it (the eclipse phenomenon) is a rare occurrence and the public should experience astronomical science in action,” Anita said.
The eclipse phenomenon, in general, will entail natural traits of illuminated skies and influence bird migration and tidal patterns.
“As in Tanjung Piai, the water level is around 2m to 3m deep. We are expecting the water level to rise to 3.5m during the eclipse,” Anita said.
National Planetarium vice-director Zamri Shah Mastor pointed out on other expected natural effects during the eclipse.
“We are anticipating the temperature to slightly drop. (For example) the weather is expected to be breezy, instead of the usual scorching heat in the afternoon.”
Zamri said to aid the view of the eclipse safely, it was advisable that the binoculars, for example, must be equipped with mylar eclipse filter and welding glass number 14 and above.