Longest annular eclipse of the sun on Jan 15

Sky enthusiasts in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, will have a rare opportunity to witness the longest annular eclipse of the sun, occurring on January 15 next.

"The annular phase runs from 10.44 am (IST), when the eclipse begins in the Central African Republic to the end of the eclipse on the Chinese Yellow Sea coast at 14.29 pm (IST)," Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre Executive Director Dr P Iyamperumal told PTI on Tuesday.

He said the maximum duration of annularity would reach 11 min 08 sec over Indian Ocean thus making it the longest annular eclipse.

Stating that this was a rare event happening about 108 years in Tamil Nadu, he said: "The annular eclipse will be visible from Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Rajapalayam, Sivaganga, Karikudi, Pudukottai, Nagapatinam, Tanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram."

The difference between a total solar eclipse and annular one, he said, is during a total solar eclipse the sun will be fully covered by the moon whereas during an annular one, sun would not be fully covered and "one will be able to see the sun like a thin ring around the black moon".

Stating that the eclipse would be visible partially in north India, Iyamperumal said: "In the north the visibility range will be from 45 per cent to 25 per cent."

The official also said it is unsafe to look at the sun directly during the eclipse time.

"Even during partial eclipse one should not attempt to view the sun without any eye protection," he said.

Iyamperumal added that arrangements were being made by the Science centre to enable the public to observe the event safely at Kanyakumari.

Meanwhile, Repute Infotech and Enterprises Limited (RPIL) with the support of Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre launched web portal, www.pongaleclipse.com to provide information about the annular solar eclipse and break myths surrounding the celestial phenomena.