Thousands witness partial solar eclipse nationwide
A PARTIAL solar eclipse over the Thai skies got people across the country excited yesterday morning.
Thousands of people joined the eclipse-watching events hosted by the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) and its allies. More than 150,000 others watched the awe-inspiring phenomenon via a live broadcast on its website www.narit.or.th.
The solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, and the moon casts a shadow over the Earth.
In Thailand, yesterday’s partial solar eclipse first became visible at 6.38am and lasted about two hours.
In Bangkok, the shadow at one point blocked nearly half of the Sun from view. In Songkhla, the shadow sometimes blocked up to 61 per cent of the Sun during the period.
“People from across all age groups came to the Benjakiti Park this morning to enjoy the solar eclipse before they headed to school or work,” NARIT director Assoc Prof Boonraksa Soonthorntham said yesterday. “Although we made available so many types of equipment to watch the solar eclipse, the participants outnumbered them. But all onlookers showed a spirit of sharing.”
Telescopes, pinhole cameras and mylar films were among the various tools.
Loud cheers echoed when the shadow started appearing over the bright sun.
NARIT expected the phenomenon to increase students’ interest in astronomy and science.
“The number of visitors to our website hit a record high today,” Boonraksa said.
The next partial solar eclipse that will be visible over the Thai skies will happen in December 2019. A total solar eclipse won’t happen here for 54 years.
Yesterday, people in Indonesia witnessed a total solar eclipse. Among those watching the spectacle there was HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
