Total solar eclipse in Indonesia

(Baonghean.vn) - Millions of people in Indonesia and the Pacific region had the opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse and many areas were completely plunged into darkness.

Some people can observe the eclipse on the coast of Indonesia. Photo: BBC.

The eclipse began at 6:19 a.m. local time on March 9 (11:19 p.m. GMT on March 8) when the Moon began to pass in front of the Sun, and a total eclipse occurred when the Moon completely covered the Sun, turning day into night.

While Indonesia and the central Pacific Ocean experienced a total solar eclipse, some parts of Australia and Asia witnessed a partial eclipse.

Astronomers advise against looking directly at the Sun with the naked eye or through a telescope, but instead use a telescope or a camera with a filter or special eclipse glasses.

The total eclipse begins at 00:15 GMT and reaches its peak at 01:59 GMT, when the Sun is completely obscured. This special event will end at sunset in northern Hawaii (at 04:34 GMT).

How did the eclipse happen?

Belitung province in Indonesia was one of the places where the total eclipse was best seen. Before dawn, about 200 people gathered on Olivier beach, looking forward to witnessing the event. Among them, about 30 foreigners from Australia and Europe.

Wilma from the Netherlands is a total eclipse enthusiast and has witnessed five total eclipses. She said that when the eclipse began, she felt completely at peace and could barely hear a sound. "It was a magical experience," she shared.

Cambodia is among the countries that can see a partial solar eclipse. Photo: BBC.

The crowd cheered with joy as the eclipse began, but then fell silent in reverence. Some took pictures, while others just stood and watched in awe. When the eclipse ended, everyone applauded quietly. Meanwhile, elsewhere on the island, people went to churches and temples to pray.

What can be seen in this solar eclipse?

People within a 150km radius of Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi provinces were able to witness the eclipse for about four hours on the morning of March 9. In Maba, Maluku Islands, darkness fell for three minutes – the longest in all of Indonesia. In other areas, it lasted only about two minutes.

Other regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska witnessed a partial solar eclipse. During this time, the dark side of the moon shines down, giving the impression that part of the sun is obscured.

Several astronomical institutes broadcast the event live for those outside the area who wished to witness it.

The total solar eclipse was captured from Indonesia. Photo: BBC.

What do scientists expect?

Scientists at NASA say they plan to use the event to conduct physical research on the solar system.

From Indonesia, they will use a polarimetric camera instrument to capture 59 solar exposures (the amount of light per unit area) over three minutes, then compile data about the Sun's hot, volatile atmosphere.

This layer of atmosphere can only be observed during a total solar eclipse when the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon.

“The solar atmosphere makes physics more exciting than ever,” said Nelson Reginald, of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

The most recent total solar eclipse occurred in the northern hemisphere on March 20, 2015.

Tu Linh

(According to BBC)