A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes behind the Sun from the perspective of an observer, blocking out part or all of the Sun. During an annular solar eclipse, the Moon is further from the Earth than average (its orbit is elliptical). Hence, it obscures only a portion of the Sun, causing it to look like a ring (an annulus).
The annular solar eclipse’s centre passed through the Saudi Arabian Peninsula, southern India, Sumatra, Singapore, Borneo, Philippines and Guam. Time and Date has an interactive map of the path. In Singapore, thousands turned up at public gatherings to watch this spectacular event.
I remember witnessing a partial eclipse in Singapore decades ago when I was a boy. The dimming light during the middle of the day was a memory etched into my mind. Thus, I was looking forward to this event for many months!
Preparations
Since this eclipse was not a total eclipse, eye protection was a must throughout. Thankfully, I purchased solar glasses in bulk after the 2017 Great American eclipse, so I had plenty of spares to hand out!
I also prepared a Hydrogen Alpha telescope hooked up to a laptop to facilitate viewing at the common swimming pool in my housing estate.
And lastly, for the children (and adults who wanted a souvenir), a craft activity with color changing UV sensitive beads! It also prompts you to put on sun protection.
Of course, hats and sunblock were on hand!
Observing the Annular Solar Eclipse
The eclipse started at around 1130H local time and progressed until the maximum at around 1323H.
Some friends came over to watch the event and neighbours who came down to view the eclipse also walked over to share the experience.
Partial Eclipse
Some of us noticed that sunlight streaming through the leaves left crescent shaped images of the sun on the ground. The pinhole effect (the same effect employed in a pinhole camera) causes this phenomenon. It was a constant reminder that we were watching an eclipse!
I captured several images through the solar telescope as the eclipse progressed and noticed only during post processing that there was an active region (AR2753) visible on the Sun! Active regions on the Sun are areas where the Sun’s magnetic field is disturbed. Sunspots are visual manifestations of active regions. However, these active regions can also spawn events like flares and coronal mass ejections, some of which have major implications for satellite communications and power grids on Earth.
Observing an active region during the eclipse was a pleasant surprise as the Sun is currently at the minimum of its 11-year solar cycle and there had been no active region facing us for some 60 days prior to the eclipse. In fact, the there was another active region (AR2754) on the sun, but it was blocked by the Moon in the images.
Annular Eclipse
The clouds started to build up toward the annular solar eclipse maximum, but we managed to catch the “Ring of Fire” just before thick clouds obscured the Sun!
The clouds rolling in actually gave us another exciting view of the eclipse just after maximum:
It was a real treat to catch this spectacular event in Singapore.
Reflections
I thought about how creation bears witnesses to a Creator. What are the chances of the Moon being at the correct distance from the Earth to just block out the Sun’s light during a total solar eclipse?
The Moon is about a quarter the size of Earth, a much smaller ratio (1:4) of planet to moon than any other planet in the Solar System. This means the moon has a much great effect on Earth, resulting in phenomena like tides. These phenomena may be essential for life on Earth.
He answered, “I tell you, if these [disciples] were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Luke 19:40, ESV
Well, using Jesus’ words slightly out of context, we have a pretty big stone in the sky to remind us about his glory!
I was also thankful for answered prayer, that clouds wouldn’t get in the way of this special event. This is the second event (the first was a star gazing event) I have organized where God provided great weather.