Astronomy in Brunei Darussalam
Join the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) for this exclusive 6-days Ring of Fire Expedition in Kuching from December 23 until 28, 2019 to witness the annular eclipse of the sun. An annular solar eclipse is in itself special, but to possibly experience it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Bandar Seri Begawan – On Dec 26, 2019, an annular solar eclipse will occur from few cities in Borneo, on the narrow track of the Moon shadow. Yes you have you be along the eclipse path to witness this special kind of eclipse of the sun – and we will bring you there! The celestial alignment happens when the moon passes in front of the sun, but the orbit of the moon is a little further away from the Earth and the moon does not completely cover the sun.
It will be a very spectacular sight, when a “ring of fire” or annulus surrounds the sun at central eclipse. Watch a “string of beads” (Baily’s Beads Effect) on the edges of the sun during the beginning of annularity eclipse. As the horizon darkens to deeper blue than normal, observe the animals reacting to the dramatic changes in the sky. Look for the brightest planet, Venus, shining east of the sun at mid-eclipse. Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury are up there too, but they are fainter and so will be harder to see. This is a rare celestial event as the next annular eclipse will take place in Borneo in 2031.
The visible surface of the sun in a fiery ring around the moon can still blind you. So be sure to watch indirectly, or with special filters. Do not look at the sun directly without eye protection at any time during this eclipse. PABD will provide each member with an eclipse glass (included in your package) for this expedition.
Continue reading “Annular Solar Eclipse-Chasing Expedition from 23rd until 28th December 2019”
By Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad
The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan – A perfect alignment of the Earth-Moon-Sun bodies will occur on December 26, 2019, resulting in a spectacular annular solar eclipse visible in few cities of Saudi Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Borneo and the Pacific Ocean .
Bandar Seri Begawan – The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam organized a solar observation to promote astronomy and educate members of the public on Tuesday (11 September 2018) morning.
Astronomy enthusiasts gathered at the car park of the International Convention Centre in Berakas from 10 am to 1 p.m. to view the Sun through solar filters. The event was the first time in Brunei being organized for the public that employed the use of a special Hydrogen Alpha-telescope, which makes solar prominences and flares observable. Continue reading “PABD promotes astronomy, holds Solar Observation”
By Hazarry Hj Ali Ahmad
What happens during a partial solar eclipse?
A perfect alignment of the Earth-Moon-Sun bodies is required for a solar eclipse to occur. As seen from a location on Earth, a solar eclipse happens when the moon moves in front of the Sun thus block the Solar Disk. A simulation of the partial Solar Eclipse as seen from Brunei in the morning of March 9, 2016 is shown in the video above. Since we will only witness the partial obscuration of the sun by the moon, features that are normally visible during totality such as corona and darkening of the sky/surrounding will not be observable from Brunei.
Continue reading “Brunei to See Partial Solar Eclipse on March 9 2016”
Bandar Seri Begawan – The current sun is increasingly active with larger sunspots and the number increasing. Local solar observers are encourage to look at these sunspots safely with solar filters within this few days (Warning: Do NOT look at the sun directly).
As it can be seen from the photograph below, the sunspots appeared dark but in fact they are not. They were just appear dark by contrast. These regions can reach between 1100 to 2500 degrees Celcius and cooler than the surrounding surface.
These spots were capable of producing X-class solar flares which can effectively damage the man-made communication satellites but also interestingly producing green auroras around the Earth’s poles.
