Millions In Indonesia Observe Solar Eclipse

A crowd gathered at Jakarta Planetary and Observatory on Wednesday to observe partial solar eclipse, — A crowd gathered at the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory on Wednesday to observe solar eclipse,

Jakarta, 01 Jumadil Akhir 1437/10 March 2016 (MINA) – Millions of people including foreign tourists on Wednesday had the chance to observe the total solar eclipse phenomenon that became visible across 12 provinces in the country.

Local television stations that broadcasted a live feed of the event reported crowds of sky-watchers had taken advantage of the public holiday to gather at various locations as early as 5am local time to witness the phenomenon.

Belitong Island of East Sumatra was the first district in Indonesia shrouded in darkness for about a minute due to the total solar eclipse phenomenon, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported quoting Bernama.

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The eclipse also coincided with the celebration of Nyepi Day, which is celebrated by Hindus in Indonesia mainly for the people in Bali who are refrained from engaging in all commercial and social activities for 24 hours.

The Muslim community on the other hand, performed the solar eclipse prayers, which were organised by several mosques including at the Masjid Istiqlal here at about 7am today and they shouted ‘Allahu Akhbar’ (Allah is great) as the solar eclipse phenomenon occurred.

In Jakarta, members of the public flooded the Jakarta planetarium in Taman Ismail Marzuki to observe the solar eclipse, which was also displayed on a large screen there.

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Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics deputy director Masturyono was quoted as saying the moon’s shadow began to cross the path of the sun in the sky of Jakarta at about 6.21am.

Jakarta only observed 80 percent eclipse, which saw the capital city not being plunged into darkness as happened in areas experiencing total solar eclipse.

A Bernama survey found the city of Jakarta almost deserted, as members of the public observed the solar eclipse phenomenon.

Provinces that were in the total solar eclipse path were Tanjung Pandan (Belitung), Muko-muko (Bengkulu), Palembang, Palangkaraya, Balikpapan, Palu, and Ternate.

An online news portal reported that Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla also witnessed the solar eclipse at Kotapulu, Sigi district in Central Sulawesi and performed the solar eclipse prayers in congregation at a mosque there at 8am. (R07/R01)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)