On 15th January we had the rare opportunity to witness a solar eclipse. Many of us had the opportunity to witness the earlier eclipse that occured some thirty years ago but at that time most us were locked indoors. Schools were shut, so were offices. Doors were closed,windows were closed and we lost out on the most maganificient sight normally visible once or twice in a life time.
It is true that solar eclipse caused by moon completely blinding the sun from us does cause harm if viewed with the naked eye. But several superstitions abound--that one should not eat during eclipse or that we should stay indoors. However, the year 2010 marked a change in scientific temper in many parts of the country. In my own state, Kerala, it was visible. As I took my son, Darshan to the Astronomical Observatory and the Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds in Trivandrum, it was filled with people both young and old eager to watch this magnificent sight. Talks, demonstrations, poster exhibitions highlighting the event were unique to the 2010 eclipse.
We managed to get a aluminium foil glass contraption and it was indeed exciting to watch the different stages of the ecipse unfold and retreat.
As astronomers and scientists launched sounding rockets to learn more about the phenomenon, birds were chirping away back to their nests not knowing perhaps what is happening. It was a day to remember.
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