Watch Rare Solar Eclipse Tomorrow or Wait Until 2063

Tomorrow (26th December 2019) is a special day for astronomy enthusiasts because Singapore is going to witness the rare “Ring of Fire” Annular Solar Eclipse. Singapore will be in total darkness for 2 minutes in the afternoon.

The moon passing in front of the sun during an annular solar eclipse on Jan. 4, 2011. (NASA/Hinode/XRT)

According to timeanddate, the Solar Eclipse starts from 11am. And from 1323hrs (or 1:23pm), Singapore will enjoy 2 minutes of darkness when the Sun, the moon and Earth form a straight line.

Singapore is along the narrow strip on the Earth’s surface where we can view this phenomenon event. If you missed it tomorrow, you will have to wait until 2063 for it to happen here.

So, I urge you to look up in the sky (with the right protective eye gear) tomorrow to view the magnificent event. Here are the details:

  • Local Type: Annular Solar Eclipse, in Singapore
  • Begins: Thu, 26 Dec 2019, 11:27
  • Maximum: Thu, 26 Dec 2019, 13:23 0.97 Magnitude
  • Ends: Thu, 26 Dec 2019, 15:18
  • Duration: 3 hours, 51 minutes
  • Annularity: 1 minute, 58 seconds

Do note that not the whole of Singapore can enjoy the 2 minutes of darkness at mid-day. Check out this map by Star Gazing Singapore.

There are organizations that are hosting the event island-wide. One of them is from Star Gazing Singapore.

You can check out the details at timeanddate website. Or just go to Star Gazing Singapore Facebook page to check out the latest information.

Straits Times has also posted an article on it today. Go check it out too.

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