Partial Solar Eclipse 26th January, 2009

Partial Solar Eclipse – 26th January 2009

The first Annular Solar Eclipse of the year 2009 occurred last Monday, January 26, 2009. The Eclipse of the Sun was visible in Eastern parts like West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshwadwip islands.

Observation sessions were held all around the world to celebrate the “International Year of Astronomy 2009” (IYA2009). The Solar Astronomy task group of IYA2009 collaborated with many countries to hold observing sessions and live web cast the eclipse, including Sri Lanka.

Observation sessions held in Sri Lanka.

This solar eclipse was visible to Sri Lanka as a partial eclipse and was visible from 2:03pm to 4:12pm.

Under IYA2009 – Sri Lanka programs, several different public observation sessions were held throughout the country. The National Node of IYA2009-Sri Lanka held an observation session at the Car Park of Arpico Super Center, Hyde Park Corner while Arthur C Clarke Center and University of Colombo held observation sessions at their institution premises with a live web cast of the eclipse.
To give a glimpse of the eclipse to the public outside of Colombo, The Colombo Planetarium held their observation session in Kurunagala with the involvement of schools in the area.
The schools themselves showed interest in the eclipse. Nalanda College Astronomical society organized “Helios” workshop to observe the Sun, with the involvement of few schools.