For those of us who are not so lucky to be able to travel to locations where one can watch the total solar eclipse to be clearly seen in 12 provinces in Indonesia - from Palembang to Belitung, Pontianak, Balikpapan,Poso, Palu and Ternate, there is another option to watch the partial eclipse in Jakarta, namely through the telescopes of the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory.
Through its press release, the Jakarta Planetarium has announced that the Planetarium will be open to interested public from 04.30 am on Wednesday 9 March 2016 for the following:
1. Observation and coverage of the Partial Solar Eclipse as seen in Jakarta through 6 (six) brand new telescopes of the Planetarium and Observatory at Taman Ismail Marzuki
2. “Live streaming” of the total eclipse of the eclipse in Indonesia which can be followed by the public in the Lobby of the Planetarium.
3. Meanwhile, 4 members of the Planetarium will be observing the eclipse in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
The Lobby of the Planetarium will be open from 04.30am to 06.0am West Indonesia Time, where promotional materials (limited to the first 600 persons) will be distributed along with special spectacles to watch the eclipse.
From 06.00 to 08.30 the following will be featured:
- Coverage and observation of the Partial Solar Eclipse as seen in Jakarta
- Live Streaming of the Total Solar Eclipse shown to an open audience
Those wishing to pray together for the Sholat Gerhana (prayers for the eclipse), this will be held at the Mushola of the Planetarium
According to Jakarta’s Planetarium records the total eclipse was last seen in Indonesia on 24 October 1995 (or 21 years ago) which passed the island chain of Sangir Talaud, in North Sulawesi, while the next total solar eclipse is expected to pass Indonesia on 20 April 2023 (or 7 years from now) passing South West and South East Papua, including the city of Biak.
The chances of a total solar eclipse passing the same spots takes 350 years, say experts. This means that another total solar eclipse could pass across Palembang, Palu and Poso only after the next 350 years. So make sure to watch the eclipse now.
For more information contact :
The Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory
Jalan Cikini Raya 73
Central Jakarta
Telephone : +6221 3505146 and +6221 2305147
Photo:news.liputan6.com
