The last Surya Grahan (solar eclipse) of 2019, will take place on Thursday. The solar eclipse will be visible in India, Australia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Chhattisgarh Vigyan Sabha has decided to celebrate the day as Surya Utsav in capital.

 

 

The solar eclipse which will take place on December 26, is not a total solar eclipse instead the Sun’s light passing from the Moon will cause an annular solar eclipse. Accordingly, the Chhattisgarh Vigyan Sabha has organised a mega programme at the garden situated in front of Raipur Municipal Corporation head-quarters at Chotapara in the capital from 8 am to 11 am, wherein, arrangements will be made to observe the solar eclipse in a safe manner. The partial eclipse will appear at the first location at 7:59:53am IST on Thursday, December 26. It will after that reach the full eclipse stage at 9:04:33am IST and then move to the maximum eclipse position at 10:47:46am IST. Moreover, the solar eclipse will last for a maximum of three minutes and 40 seconds.

 

Accordingly to Vishwas Meshram, Executive President, Chhattisgarh Vigyan Sabha, during the Surya Utsav, solar eclipse can be observed safely with the help of filter telescope, solar filter and pinhole camera. On the spot painting competition will be organised for children to generate awareness against superstitions which are spread against eclipses (both solar and lunar). On the occasion a good number of scientists and intellectuals will be present. During the programme a play will be organized wherein children will be informed about solar and lunar eclipse. The painting competitions for children will be organized in two categories. First category is for children below 10 years who will prepare paintings based on solar eclipse while the second category will be for children from 10-15 years age-group who will prepare paintings on superstitions surrounding solar eclipse. Children will need to bring colours only as drawing sheets will be made available on the spot by Chhattisgarh Vigyan Sabha.

 

Chhattisgarh Vigyan Sabha President Prof M L Nayak has appealed to one and all, not to be afraid from eclipses but should understand its causes and enjoy such celestial incidents. Nayak has also appealed to witness solar eclipse through safe methods only and asked people not to watch through sunglasses, goggles, x-ray films and water image as it may cause harm. He also appealed the people not to watch solar eclipse continuously through mular solar filters. People can watch for 10-15 seconds through mular solar filters as viewing for more time might damage eyes.