Several parts of the country will be able to see a partial solar eclipse today, October 25, in a rare occurrence. This is the first time that a partial solar eclipse will be seen over India in over a decade and will not be seen again for another 10 years.
WHAT IS PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not exactly aligned and the Sun appears to have a dark shadow on a small part of its surface. There are three phases of a partial solar eclipse, which include a beginning, it reaching a maximum, and an end.Tuesday’s solar eclipse will be the last one to occur this year with the first one having occurred on April 30.The next major solar eclipse to be visible from India will be an annular eclipse on May 21, 2031 when the annularity can be observed from a narrow patch of land in south India.Three years later, on March 20, 2034, the next total solar eclipse will be visible from India and the totality will be observed from the northernmost part of Kashmir.
DOS AND DONT’S
Extreme precaution must be taken while observing the eclipse. Although the eclipse may be visible to the naked eye, the sun’s rays can be very harmful for the eye and can become critical.The safest way to view the eclipse is by using special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses. These glasses are made from materials like black polymer or aluminized Mylar and will help protect your eyes from getting damaged.Drivers on the road are advised to always drive with their headlights on during the eclipse.
SCHOOLS, TEMPLES SHUT
The Odisha Government declared today a public holiday on account of the solar eclipse. All government offices, schools, colleges, educational institutions, courts, banks and other financial institutions will remain closed on Tuesday, according to an official release.In Tirupati, the Lord Venkateswara temple will remain closed for about 12 hours because of the solar eclipse. A temple official told PTI the temple will be closed from 8:11 am to 7:30 pm.
