Chronicles of a Wayfarer

On the 22 of July 2009, there will be a spectacular total solar eclipse across a large area of Asia.

This eclipse is an unmissable opportunity as this solar eclipse is the longest total solar eclipse that will occur in the twenty-first century, and will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132!

The total duration of the eclipse will last for up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds, with the maximum occurring in the ocean at 02:35:21 UTC about 100 km south of the Bonin Islands, southeast of Japan. The North Iwo Jima island is the landmass with totality time closest to maximum.

Here’s the path by which the total eclipse can be seen:

A partial eclipse will be seen from the much broader path of the Moon’s penumbra, including most of South East Asia (all of India and China) and north-eastern Oceania. The eclipse is part of series 136 in the Saros cycle, like the record setting Solar eclipse of July 11, 1991.

This is second in the series of three eclipses in a month. There was a lunar eclipse on July 7 and now a solar eclipse on July 22 and then a lunar eclipse on August 6.

So I assume I’d be able to see a partial eclipse from where I am (Jakarta, Indonesia). I wonder what time the event will happen. Hmmmm…

*** edited Jul 21, 5:11 PM ***

Upon closer examination of the map (from this UK Eclipse site), I have just realized Jakarta is too far south the penumbral path.

You know what this means?? I won’t be able to view this at all! Only those in the northern part of Indonesia will be able to see this! Argh!