Kerala   

For a glimpse of the eclipse

— Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Hide and seek: A view of the solar eclipse in Kozhikode on Friday.

As the clock ticked closer to 4.45 p.m. the amorphous crowd that thronged the Kozhikode beach on Friday suddenly formed itself into two long lines behind the two large telescopes fitted with solar filters.

They were preparing to view the solar eclipse set to start precisely at 4:48:16 p.m.

Project Coordinator at the Regional Science Centre (RSC) V.S. Ramachandran declared that the eclipse had begun on time. RSC and the planetarium here had made arrangements at the beach for the public to view the celestial phenomenon live.

The queue began to move slowly and eagerly, each one waiting for their turn. Thanks to a clear sky, hundreds of people could view the event. “The response was really amazing,” said Mr. Ramachandran and his colleagues.

Mr. Ramachandran said that the response was disappointing during a similar solar eclipse in 1999. “Now, we are happy that RSC is finally making some meaningful impact,” he added.

Except for a few minutes’ interruption owing to cloud formation, the viewing was never disrupted in the one hour and 17 minutes of expected viewing time in the Kozhikode region.

“It is wonderful, I am watching it for the first time through such a brilliant telescope,” said Ritu Krishnan, a 13-year-old girl from Thondayadu here, after taking her turn at the telescope.

Some people were also seen watching the eclipse through X-Ray sheets.

A large team of mediapersons including had also gathered at the beach to cover the rare event.

Jabir Mushthari

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Achuthanandan to lead team to New Delhi
Proper water management essential
For a glimpse of the eclipse
Next issue
‘Cut costs, save Malayalam cinema’
Active participation of masses required for water conservation
For the departed
Campus Notes
Tulu festival
Stern action against hoax callers mooted
Air India directive on e-ticketing
Workers gherao AI officials

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu