A Solar Eclipse
What is a Solar Eclipse?
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun.
The image above shows what we can see from the Earth. The moon slowly goes infront of the sun to block it.
Here we can see how the Moon blocks the Sun raises path, which casts a shadow on the Eath.
When was the last Solar Eclipse in Hong Kong?
Annular solar eclipse visible in Hong Kong is a very rare astronomical phenomenon. The last one occurred in 1958.
An annular solar eclipse will occur on May 21 (Monday, 2012) and it will be visible in Hong Kong if the weather permits.
What time does it start?
The eclipse will already be in progress when the sun rises that morning. The duration of annular totality (from totality begins to totality ends) will be 3 minutes 26 seconds, longer than the annular totality in 1958, which lasted only 1 minute 17 seconds."
How do I view this?
You should never look directly at the sun with naked eyes or through a telescope in order to avoid severe damages to their eyes.
A safer method is to project the sun's image through a pinhole or a telescope onto a piece of white paper or cardboard and view the projected image.
After Monday is there another Solar Eclipse?
This answer is yes, but after this one, there will be none in the next three centuries. That is 300 years, so if you can watch it try to.
Enjoy the Solar Eclipse. I hope you get to see it, even though it is really early in the morning.
Mr. Luke
