ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY
Havent yet planned a trip to watch this event in person Youre missing something very special. Amit Bhattacharya explains why
What exactly is a total solar eclipse
Its when the new Moon gets between Earth and Sun, and covers the solar disc completely
Is it a big deal
A total solar eclipse is easily the most spectacular celestial event you can view from Earth. An eerie darkness descends during totality, birds fall silent and stars peer out in daytime. Read the watch out for column for more
OK, but isnt a solar eclipse happening somewhere in the world every 2 years or so What's so cool about this one
This ones truly special. It's the longest total eclipse this century and the longest seen in India since Aug 18, 1868. The next big total eclipse in the country takes place on June 3, 2114. Between then and now, there's only 1 total eclipse, on March 20, 2034, and it would just be visible in J&K . The line of totality traverses a distance of over 3,000km. So, more Indians will be in the path of totality than ever in history!
Great, but where should I go to get the best view
Look at the map. As you move east, duration of totality increases. Theoretically, a spot in Arunachal should be the best in India. West Bengal, Bihar and east UP in that order would be better places to catch the event than Gujarat or MP. Globally, Shanghai offers the longest totality on land 5m30s
Heres a spoiler: The monsoon is here, so chances of clouds blotting out the spectacle are high. The danger gets compounded by the fact its an early morning eclipse. So, the Sun will be low in the horizon and chances of clouds even higher. Keep those fingers crossed!
India and the ECLIPSE
Three solar eclipses are described in Mahabharata. Theres also reference to Krishna blocking the Sun with his sudarshan chakrato help Arjun in the battle Abul Fazl writes in Akbarnama about Akbar visiting Kurukshetra during an eclipse in 1567 Jehangirnama accurately talks of an annular eclipse later traced to March 19, 1615
On Oct 17, 1762, a Diwali day, a fierce battle between the Sikhs and Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali was abandoned when it became so dark during the day that stars came out
Helium was discovered by Jules Janssen while observing solar spectrum during a total eclipse in India on Aug 18, 1868
Urban Legend
Galileo went blind watching an eclipse. False. He became blind at 72 from cataract and glaucoma. But watching a partial eclipse with naked eye is dangerous
Total eclipse will last about 3 min, 30 sec. Partial eclipse visible throughout India
A total eclipse depicted in a Ragamala painting from Bundi dated around 1850s Source: Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi
WATCH OUT FOR
Partial Phase |
Shadows of tree leaves etc get a strange conical shape as the eclipse increases
Diamond Ring |
Just before or after totality, Suns rays stream out, giving stunning effect of a diamond ring
Bailey's Beads |
Tiny specks of light, like a string of beads, appear from lunar valleys and craters
Corona |
During totality, a breathtaking aura surrounds the invisible Sun. This is the solar atmosphere
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