05
March
2016
|
00:29
Asia/Singapore

Join us for the solar eclipse

A celestial dragon will be snacking on the Sun from 7.22am (Singapore time) come 9 March, if Chinese myth holds true. This phenomenon, otherwise known as a solar eclipse, happens when the Moon travels between the Earth and Sun, and blocks out light from the Sun. Members of the NUS astronomy fraternity will hold a series of events from 8 to 9 March to mark the occasion.

Those in Singapore will only see a partial eclipse because the country falls under the penumbra, the area where the Sun’s rays are only partially blocked. However, people watching the phenomenon at places shaded by the darkest shadow of the eclipse, the umbra, will witness a total eclipse.

Maximum obscuration (87 per cent) in Singapore will take place about 8.20am. The cosmic event is expected to last for approximately two hours, from 7.22am to 9.32am. This year’s eclipse is more spectacular than the last one (72 per cent obscuration) observed in Singapore seven years ago.

Two NUS students, Laurentcia Arlany and Edmund Yuen, will be traveling to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi to see a full eclipse. They are part of a team that will be beaming back a live telecast of the eclipse from Sulawesi, which will be projected onto a screen at the University’s Football Field.

eclipse 2

Among the photos on exhibit from 8 to 9 March is one titled The Black Eye, by local astronomer Mr Remus Chua, of the M64 galaxy about 17 million light years away

Among the educational activities slated at NUS are public lectures where astronomy experts will explain the science behind the solar eclipse, and share insights on solar imaging and astrophotography. Telescopes will be set up for an overnight stargazing session. This will be immediately followed by observation of the solar eclipse at the same location. All activities, which are free and open to the public, will be held at the NUS Kent Ridge Campus. 

An astrophotography exhibition will feature 40 stunning images of heavenly bodies, taken by local astrophotographers as well as NUS Physics students.

ECLIPSE EVENTS

8-9 March
2pm-11am
Astrophotography Exhibition
Foyer outside Lecture Theatre 27, Faculty of Science
8 March

7-7.30pm
7.30-8pm

8-8.30pm

Public Lectures
Lecture Theatre 27, Faculty of Science

“Solar Eclipse” by NUS Physics Assoc Prof Phil Chan
“My Learning Journey in Solar Imaging” by Mr Alfred Tan,
Vice Principal (Administration), Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)
“TinyMOS Astrophotography” by Mr Grey Tan, CEO, TinyMOS

8-9 March
Evening till morning
Stargazing Session
Football Field, Lower Kent Ridge Road
9 March
7.22-9.32am
Solar Eclipse Observation
Football Field, Lower Kent Ridge Road

Get directions to event locations.

See media coverage.