Total solar eclipse mesmerises Samudera
KABAR SAHARI - 16/03/2018, 20:32
The total solar eclipse Friday March 16, 2018 in Sripura, Samudera. Emotional sky-gazers stood transfixed across northern Western Isles as the Sun vanished behind the Moon in a rare total eclipse
BHINNEKA, Kabar Sahari - A total solar eclipse is seen in almost all of Samudera this afternoon (16/03).
People gazed at the sky in wonder and cheered while others knelt in prayer as a total eclipse of the sun unfolded over Samudera on Friday, briefly plunging cities into darkness and startling wildlife.
The rare astronomical phenomenon was witnessed along a narrow path that stretched across 7 countries in the region and all states of Samudera. A partial eclipse was visible in most northern Western Isles, most of central Argus, and almost all of Gael.
Thousands of eclipse-chasers flocked to Samudera from abroad and the government, which has been the promoting the event for more than a year, forecast a substantial tourism boost.
Path of totality in March 16, 2018 Total Solar Eclipse
Thousands of men, women and children gathered in Sangiang, a hilltop town of Samudera’s Kraton state, shouted and clapped as the sun transformed into a dark orb for more than two minutes. Hundreds of others performed ritual dance in honour of the gods’ deeds over the Sun in Heyúvan temple.
Heyúvans considered the eclipse as a sacred event, as it symbolise Gods influence over the world. They threw an all day celebration with food stands and the community coming together with foods, drinks and music, to give their Gods more strength. It is considered a symbolic move to burn something that symbolise your desire, for example burning wheat if someone desired wealth, during the eclipse.
"The sun totally disappeared. How amazing this sunny morning suddenly changed to dark," said Richard Joko, a Sangiang resident who witnessed the eclipse with his family using special glasses that protect eyes.
In Sailendra, one of the last cities in the eclipse's path, some residents said they were viewing it by looking at the reflected image in bowls of water. Experts say the total eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye but specific filters should be used during its partial phases to avoid permanent damage to the retina.
Thousands flocked to the mosque to perform special eclipse prayer in Sailendra.
Most eclipses are partial but when the moon is close enough to the Earth, the sun is completely eclipsed by the moon's shadow and only a spectacular ring of rays known as the corona is visible.
The last time a total eclipse occurred over Samudera was in 1979. Unfounded fears and misinformation caused panic, with people papering windows and keeping children indoors.
Cloudy skies in parts of Samudera dampened the spectacle for some. In Kotapura, the biggest city on Samudera with more than 2.1 million inhabitants, thousands of residents from mothers carrying infants to old men gathered at its landmark Aruma bridge from well before dawn. But the total eclipse was only briefly visible if at all.
The entire eclipse, which began with the first patch of darkness appearing on the edge of the sun, lasted about three hours.
For the viewer, the length of time the sun was totally eclipsed depended on their location along the path. On land the durations were mostly between two and four minutes.
In the Enerah, the second biggest city on Samudera, thousands of residents packed a planetarium at a downtown park where officials distributed about 4,000 filtered viewing glasses that quickly ran out. The eclipse was also streamed on monitors around the planetarium.
Writer : Parhan H’ta
Editor : Will anyone notice if i put something here
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