070314en04002

	news.gov.hk
	From Hong Kong's Information Services Department

March 14, 2007

Astronomy

Solar eclipse set for March 19

A partial eclipse of the sun will occur March 19 and will be best viewed at places with unobstructed views to the east-southeast, such as Sai Kung and Shek O, if weather permits.

The eclipse will occur from 9.09am to 10.26am and the maximum eclipse will occur at 9.47am. The eclipse will see 16.1% of the sun's diameter obscured by the moon at its peak.

In shadow: A partial eclipse of the sun will occur March 19, from 9.09am to 10.26am.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun. The moon casts a shadow on the Earth's surface and obscures the sun.

People must not look directly at the sun with the naked eye or through a telescope. They also should avoid observing the eclipse for a prolonged period. A safer method is to project the sun's image through a pinhole onto a piece of white paper or cardboard and view the projection. For details click here.

The next solar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will occur on August 1 next year. It will be a total eclipse, but will only be visible as a partial eclipse in Hong Kong.