The Oman Astronomical Society has noted that safety procedures must be followed when observing a solar eclipse.
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman will witness a partial solar eclipse today. To watch the partial solar eclipse, it is recommended to use special sunglasses or binoculars and imaging devices equipped with solar filters and not to look at the sun with naked eyes in any case.
Al-Julanda bin Masoud Al-Rawahi at the Oman Astronomical Society, said the partial solar eclipse will begin at 14:50, reach its peak at 15:57 and end at 16:58. The duration of the eclipse will be approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes.
Al-Rawahi stated that if the sky is clear, everyone will be able to watch it using appropriate monitoring tools. The partial solar eclipse will be seen in the Sultanate of Oman in different proportions depending on the region. In Muscat Governorate it will be 36 percent, in Salalah 22 percent, in Nizwa 35 percent, in Sohar 37 percent and in Musandam Governorate it will be 41 percent.
“Residents of vast regions of the globe, such as Europe, western Russia, the Middle East, Western Asia and Northeast Africa, will also be able to watch this astronomical event. The partial eclipse will not be seen in North and South America, Australia and Southeast Asia,” Al-Rawahi added.
Al-Rawahi explained that a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, so that the sun, the moon and the earth are in one straight line. As a result, the moon covers the sun temporarily, and blocks its rays for a short period so that it casts a shadow on a portion of the earth.
Al-Julanda Al-Rawahi stressed that safe monitoring of the sun requires the use of safe means such as astronomical binoculars and special sunglasses. Therefore, the use of monitoring and viewing tools is very important for the safety of observers.
He indicated that the Oman Astronomical Society, in cooperation with the Department of Astronomical Affairs at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and some relevant authorities, will organise mass monitoring events for the partial solar eclipse, and it will be announced later on its accounts on social media.
The Oman Astronomical Society has noted that safety procedures must be followed when observing a solar eclipse, by not looking at the eclipse with the naked eye, as it can cause damage, explaining that looking at the Sun while it is partially obscured at the time of the eclipse may damage the retina of the eye.
