Mangalore: Sky Gazers Disappointed as Clouds Pour Cold Water on their Enthusiasm
Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jul 22: The people of the city, who had geared up to catch the partial solar eclipse to their heart’s content, were in for a disappointment. The sun hid behind the clouds and refused to yield to their fervent prayers.
Arrangements had been made by Amateur Astronomers Association at Sandesha Kalabhavana in Bajjody in the city, to satiate the curiosity of the crowd, comprising mostly of the students of St Agnes College and Sandesha Art College. Prof H Jayant of St Agnes College was present on the occasion, to provide guidance to the enthusiastic people. A reflector telescope of 200 mm capacity was in place, but that could only beam the reflections of the morning clouds. Prof Jayant explained to the gathering the importance and salient features of this rare solar eclipse, with the help of different sized balls tied to a rope and beaming the light on them.
Prof Jayant expressed happiness at the fact that the number of curious star gazers had swelled this time to over a hundred, as against only 12 students who made an appearance for a similar arrangement made in the year 1995. He recollected that it looked as if curfew had been clamped in the city then, whereas people and vehicles were seen moving about on the city roads today. He added, that the year is being celebrated as ‘Astronomy Year’ and on this occasion, various programmes like providing facilities to view some of the planets in the sky like Jupiter would be made at St Agnes College during the year.
The students and others who had gathered for witnessing the rear phenomenon went home disappointed, but they were happy that their knowledge on solar eclipse in particular and astronomy in general, had been enriched after hearing the explanations provided by Prof Jayant.
Cloudy skies mar solar eclipse
New Delhi, July 22 (IANS): Cloudy skies in large parts of northern and western India Wednesday marred a clear view of the century's longest total solar eclipse but the celestial spectacle was clearly visible over Varanasi.
Tens of thousands of people across the country rose early to see the eclipse that was to begin at the earliest at 5:29 a.m. and end at 7:41 a.m. in India.
It was to have been cleary visible in places like Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi, Patna, Taregna near Patna, Daman, Darjeeling, Dibrugarh, Gangtok, Gaya, Itanagar, Ujjain and Vadodra.
A partial eclipse was to have been visible in many other towns and cities.
A total eclipse occurred when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely obscuring the sun. During the eclipse, totality is visible only from a narrow track on the surface of the earth.
In the event however the solar eclipse could be watched clearly only over Varanasi, where thousands gathered along the Ganges.
In Taregna, people were disappointed as cloudy skies prevented them from witnessing the celestial phenomenon. Hundreds of tourist and scientists from around the world had gathered in the Bihar village.
The eclipse was to begin at 5:29 a.m in Gaya and Patna and it was to end at 7:41 a.m. at Dibrugarh.
Thick clouds and heavy rains in Mumbai, Konkan region and most part of the Maharashtra prevented people from viewing the eclipse. Overcast skies spoiled the show in Himachal Pradesh too.
The total phase of the eclipse lasted for about 6 minutes and 44 seconds, making it the longest eclipse of the century. The next such celestial spectacle will take place in 2132.