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Merge 104.8 | 20 June 2020
Tomorrow [Sunday, June 21], skies across Oman will see a rare annular solar eclipse visible in different locations of the Sultanate. Though gatherings to view the event are prohibited due to ongoing COVID-19 precautionary measures, the eclipse will be live-streamed by the Oman Astronomic Society (OAS).
As Merge 104.8’s sister station Al Wisal reports, the natural phenomenon will be visible in Qurayyat, parts of Bahla, parts of Izki, and in Al Sharqiyah from Adam to Manah, and Samad al Shan to Dima Wa Al Taeen, says OAS member Khulood al Rashdiya.
Al Rashdiya said that viewers in other parts of Sultanate will most likely only be able to see a partial solar eclipse, rather than the full annular eclipse.
Also known as the ‘ring of fire’, the annular eclipse will also be visible in Yemen and throughout the Empty Quarter desert.
The eclipse will last around three hours and six minutes, starting from 8:14 a.m. on Sunday. Al Rashdiya explained that the best time to see the ring — which will last only for 50 seconds — will be at 9:00 a.m., Muscat time.
She added that, for safety, it’s not advisable to view the eclipse with the naked eye as it can cause serious damage including blindness and colour blindness.
Al Rashdiya also noted that projecting the sun through binoculars or a telescope is a safe method to view the eclipse if special filters are used.
One marked difference to the event is that there will be no gatherings to witness the eclipse, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why the OAS will live-stream the event from multiple locations via its Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages, Al Rashdiya explained.
An annular solar eclipse is an extremely rare event — with the next one not expected to occur until 2103, 83 years from now.
(Also read: Oman to implement 50% tax on sweetened drinks soon.)
