Straight Answers

Shivli Tyagi / TNN / Mar 28, 2006, 21:51 IST

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Alay Jhavreri, Astronomer on the longest solar eclipse between 2001-2009.

Alay Jhavreri, Astronomer on the longest solar eclipse between 2001-2009.
What is so unique about this solar eclipse that is happening today?
Total solar eclipse is one of the most fascinating astronomical phenomena. Today's solar eclipse will sweep across Brazil, Gold Coast of Africa, Turkey, Russian Federation, northern shores of Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan and finally end in Mongolia.
The duration of totality will be less than 2 minutes near the sunrise and sunset limits, but will be as long as 4 minutes and 7 seconds in Libya.

A reason why it is being hailed as an important celestial event. In India however,the north of the line joining Mumbai and Kolkata will witness partial eclipse.
Why do solar eclipses still excite astronomers and scientists?
The sun still remains the most mysterious object in our solar system. Astonishing series of scientific discoveries have been made during the rare total solar eclipses.
Probably the most famous one was done on May 29, 1919 when it was proved that the Sun behaves like a giant achromatic gravitational lens as it was predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity.

Although nowadays various cosmic probes have greatly extended the possibilities of observing the sun through powerful telescopes which can be placed outside the interfering Earth's atmosphere, still solar eclipses remain a scientific event of great importance.
How interested are students in this phenomenon? How can it help them know more about their universe?
Students are usually very eager as they get an opportunity to conduct interesting experiments and measure and calculate distances of celestial objects.
Other than that they can learn a lot about celestial mechanics and solar astronomy. However they should be made aware about the correct method of observing the eclipse so as not to harm one's eyes.

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