Today, I witnessed what is considered to be the longest total solar eclipse of the century. Though we only experienced a partial solar eclipse over here in Davao, I was able to watch the eclipse reach its totality in India, China and Japan via an online live stream from New Delhi Television (NDTV).
Seeing the Sun's corona burst around the edges of the Moon's shadow is a sight to behold.
I didn't have any gear that could take a nice shot of the partial solar eclipse but I tried to make do by using my N82 and an old X-ray film of my wrist as a filter:
The eclipse as seen on SkyVoyager for the iPhone:
The next total solar eclipse that will come very close to Davao will be on March 9, 2016. But before that, there will be two two annular eclipses to witness: one on May 20, 2012 and the other on May 10, 2013.
Can't wait for the next celestial event.
[Thanks to Lyle for the photo.]
Update:
Avel Manansala of GenSantos.com has an awesome shot of today's eclipse and he's given me permission to post it here:
His post today recounts the events of March 18, 1988, where GenSan had the best seat to view totality. He also posted some photos during the 1988 total solar eclipse from Kryss Katsiavriades' website. Kryss Katsiavriades is a photojournalist and "eclipse chaser", He has photos of eclipses from 1983 until 2008.
I was in grade school when the 1998 solar eclipse happened, and I remember that we were allowed to step out of the classroom to view the eclipse. We used cardboard 'glasses' that had small pieces of exposed film negatives to peep through. That was dangerous. Heh.
Thanks again, Avel.
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