Ekspedisi ini berawal dari sebentuk kenekatan dan berakhir sebagai tamu negara di Istana Kepresidenan Timor-Leste. Ekspedisi ini telah berkembang menjadi ekspedisi astronom ASEAN yang melibatkan astronom profesional dan amatir dari Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, dan Timor-Leste. Tim ekspedisi pun meluangkan waktu untuk berbagi edukasi tentang Gerhana Matahari Total (GMT) ini baik di tingkat lokal distrik Lautém maupun tingkat nasional melalui media massa Timor-Leste. Gerhana Matahari Total ini cukup spesial karena di ujung-ujung jalurnya terjadi Gerhana Matahari Hibrid (GMH). Setelah setahun berlalu, izinkan kami berbagi cerita sebagai refleksi satu tahun ekspedisi GMT ke Timor-Leste tersebut.

Perencanaan Awal

Perencanaan perjalanan secara serius dimulai sejak September 2022. Sebagaimana telah dipetakan dalam situs Time and Date tentang GMH 20 April 2023 ini (https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2023-april-20), Timor-Leste termasuk yang dilalui jalur totalitasnya. Secara khusus tim telah mengidentifikasi secara mendetail berbagai lokasi di darat yang kemungkinan masih ada penduduknya – hal ini penting mengingat kebutuhan dukungan logistik seperti halnya listrik dan koneksi internet.

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Tim juga mengidentifikasi pola awan rata-rata pada bulan April di kisaran jalur tengah terjadinya GMT/GMH kali ini. Berdasarkan data yang dihimpun di situs Eclipsophile besutan Jay Anderson tentang GMH 20 April 2023 (https://eclipsophile.com/hse2023/), rata-rata awan bulan April pada jalur tengah gerhana tersebut dapat dipetakan sebagai berikut:

Berdasarkan data tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa peluang langit cerah pada saat terjadinya GMT yang terbaik di Australia, diikuti Timor-Leste, dan kemudian Papua Indonesia.

Tim juga mengidentifikasi karakteristik lingkungan sosial, konektivitas, dan estimasi biaya per destinasi terhadap berbagai lokasi dalam jalur totalitas tersebut. Berdasarkan lingkungan sosial, Exmouth, Lospalos, dan Biak cenderung lebih menarik dibandingkan pilihan destinasi lainnya. Berdasarkan observasi, Exmouth Australia telah diiklankan besar-besaran secara internasional sebagai destinasi pilihan untuk GMH tahun 2023, sementara pada saat analisis ini dibuat, kedua kota di Timor-Leste, Viqueque dan Lospalos, bersama dengan Damer/Oeta belum cukup populer untuk peristiwa GMT/GMH ini. Di lain pihak, beberapa kelompok institusi Indonesia telah mengisyaratkan rencananya ke Kisar dan Biak.

Merangkum semuanya, dari sudut pandang keberangkatan dari Jakarta, pilihan terbaik jatuh pada Viqueque dan Lospalos di negara Timor-Leste. Estimasi total biaya transportasinya jauh lebih rendah dibandingkan pilihan untuk pergi ke Australia dengan hanya sedikit lebih tinggi dari destinasi Biak di Indonesia. Selain itu peluang langit tertutup awan di Timor-Leste yang berkisar 55%, masih lebih baik daripada Biak Indonesia yang berkisar 75% meskipun tidak sebaik Australia Barat yang hanya berkisar 30%.

Persiapan Keberangkatan

Persiapan lebih lanjut memasuki tahun 2023 mulai menampakkan banyak tantangan. Perencanaan awal ekspedisi ini tampaknya masih kurang begitu menarik antara lain karena: estimasi biaya transportasi yang relatif lebih mahal daripada destinasi domestik lain, belum ada jaminan tempat penginapan, ketidakjelasan regulasi visa untuk pendatang non-WNI (non-Warga Negara Indonesia), kekhawatiran keterbatasan infrastruktur di negara yang baru merdeka belum lama ini, dan banyak hal lainnya. Saat-saat inilah berbagai pertolongan datang membantu.

Seorang teman WNI yang memiliki usaha di Timor-Leste menyarankan untuk masuk Timor-Leste  melalui jalan darat lewat Kupang. Saran ini berdampak signifikan menurunkan biaya transportasi dari yang sebelumnya diestimasikan sekitar Rp 14 juta per orang menjadi hanya sekitar Rp 6 juta per orang. Nilai ini jauh lebih rendah daripada biaya transportasi ke Biak Indonesia dan juga masih lebih rendah daripada ke Kisar atau Damar/Oeta yang juga di Indonesia. Selain itu, ada pula suatu kebetulan yang menyenangkan yaitu mulai beroperasinya Damri dengan tarif Rp 350 ribu sekali jalan mulai tanggal 30 Maret 2023.

Seorang teman WN Timor-Leste menyarankan lebih baik mengambil posisi di Lospalos ketimbang Viqueque, selain karena infrastruktur jalan yang relatif lebih baik, Lospalos juga berada di Distrik Lautém yang mayoritas masih lancar dalam Bahasa Indonesia. Salah satu kekhasan distrik ini adalah kemampuan penduduknya dalam lima bahasa: Fataluku (bahasa setempat), Tetun (bahasa nasional Timor-Leste), Portugis (bahasa nasional resmi), Indonesia (bahasa perdagangan), dan Inggris (bahasa perdagangan). Tak heran karena di dalam distrik ini terdapat reruntuhan pelabuhan Com (Porto Com) yang pada zamannya dulu menghubungkan bagian Pulau Timor tersebut dengan Pulau Kisar yang merupakan bagian Provinsi Maluku dalam Negara Indonesia.

Walaupun tim telah berhasil mengamankan tempat penginapan transit di Dili dan telah melayangkan surat permohonan ke Ministériu Interiór (Kementerian Dalam Negeri) Timor-Leste, namun jaminan tempat penginapan di Lospalos belum berhasil diperoleh dan belum ada kejelasan regulasi visa bagi pendatang non-WNI. Saat inilah Maun (“Mas” atau “Bang” dalam Bahasa Tetun) Luís Nivio de Fátima Soares selaku IAU NOC (International Astronomical Union National Outreach Coordinator) untuk Timor-Leste bergabung ke dalam tim bersama rekan-rekan kerjanya dari Komisaun Nasionál Timor-Leste ba UNESCO (KNTLU – Komisi Nasional Timor-Leste untuk UNESCO).

Peran Maun Luís dan rekan-rekannya ini sangat signifikan dalam membantu mengamankan penginapan, terlebih karena ternyata Mana (“Mbak” dalam Bahasa Tetun) Sandra dan Maun Caetano berasal dari Distrik Lautém. Selain itu koordinasi dengan Ministériu Interiór sebagai kementerian yang membawahi imigrasi pun dapat dilakukan secara lebih intensif. Segera setelah itu Tim Vietnam menyatakan minatnya untuk bergabung dengan tim ekspedisi ini sehingga dengan demikian terbentuklah Tim ASEAN untuk Ekspedisi Gerhana Matahari dengan keterlibatan aktif 32 orang dari 4 negara: Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, dan Vietnam:

Tim ini juga mendesain logo yang digunakan dalam kaos dan berbagai publikasi lainnya. Logo tersebut menampilkan 14 sinar korona, semata-mata mewakili 14 distrik dari Timor-Leste dan bukannya korona sesungguhnya. Pemilihan warna logo didasarkan pada warna bendera Timor-Leste, yaitu hitam, putih, kuning, dan merah. Selain itu terdapat tulisan “Gerhana Matahari Total 20 April” yang mengelilingi gambar logo utama dalam 4 (empat) bahasa sesuai dengan konstitusi Timor-Leste, yaitu 2 (dua) bahasa resmi: Tetun dan Portugis, serta 2 (dua) bahasa pekerjaan: Indonesia dan Inggris.

Penentuan Lokasi

Tim memilih Kota Lospalos sebagai lokasi pengamatan, namun permasalahan baru timbul yaitu telah penuhnya seluruh penginapan di kota tersebut. Beruntung bahwa masih ada penginapan tersedia di Desa Com. Analisis lebih lanjut menggunakan peta dari Xavier M. Jubier menunjukkan bahwa ada satu lokasi yaitu Pantai Airleu di dekat Com sehingga pemilihan ini menjadi semakin menarik.

Simulasi menggunakan Stellarium juga menunjukkan bahwa posisi matahari juga relatif tinggi sejak awal hingga akhir terjadinya gerhana. Estimasi puncak GMT yaitu pada 13.22.12 waktu setempat dengan ketinggian sekitar 65-70º. Tidak hanya itu, ada 5 (lima) planet yang akan mengiringi peristiwa ini, yaitu: Jupiter, Saturnus, Merkurius, Venus, dan Mars yang diperkirakan akan terlihat dengan jelas saat matahari tertutup penuh oleh piringan bulan.

Sebagai bonus tambahan, berdasarkan data dari https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/, sekitar Com adalah daerah dengan skala Bortle antara 1 dan 2, lebih gelap dibandingkan Lospalos yang sampai di skala 3.

Kontribusi terhadap Edukasi Astronomi Timor-Leste

Tim ekspedisi baik secara keseluruhan maupun masing-masing negara memberikan kontribusinya terhadap edukasi astronomi khususnya terkait GMT 20 April 2024. Salah satu yang cukup krusial adalah pemahaman mengenai faktor keselamatan mata yang yang harus diperhatikan dalam pengamatan GMT. Tim mempublikasikan materi GMT dalam 4 (empat) bahasa yang digunakan di Timor-Leste seperti dijelaskan di atas.

Selain itu, timbul pula kekhawatiran di kalangan masyarakat Timor-Leste akan potensi kebutaan yang terjadi karena pengamatan GMT. Kekhawatiran ini diperkuat dengan adanya kepercayaan yang mulai beredar bahwa dengan kacamata gerhana pun masih dapat mengalami kebutaan. Kebetulan di saat ini terinformasikan bahwa Presiden Timor-Leste, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, berminat untuk bertemu dengan Tim Ekspedisi ASEAN untuk GMT.

Saat bertemu dengan Presiden, tim menjelaskan perihal pengamatan yang sesungguhnya aman bagi mata selama memang melakukannya sesuai rekomendasi, yaitu menggunakan kacamata gerhana bersertifikasi ISO 12312-2 dan CE. Tim juga menjelaskan perihal potensi wilayah Timor-Leste dalam mengembangkan wisata astronomi karena masih banyak wilayah gelap dengan skala Bortle 1-3 dan ditunjang dengan iklim sabana tropis yang hampir sepanjang tahun cerah hampir tanpa awan. Pertemuan dengan Presiden ini dilanjutkan dengan jumpa pers nasional dengan Bapak Dr. Hakim Luthfi Malasan berupaya membuka mata masyarakat tentang prinsip kehati-hatian untuk pengamatan GMT 20 April 2023.

Sehari sebelum GMT, tim menyempatkan berbagi dalam edukasi astronomi terkait GMT di Ensino Basico Central (Pendidikan Dasar Sentral) di Desa Com, Lautém.  Selain menjelaskan seperti apa itu GMT kepada siswa-siswi di sekolah tersebut, tim juga mengajak mereka untuk mengamati langsung matahari siang itu dengan teleskop berfilter dan membagi-bagikan kacamata gerhana secara gratis.

Tim Vietnam secara khusus menyumbangkan 2 (dua) buah teleskop kepada Tim Timor-Leste untuk dapat digunakan dalam pengembangan astronomi di Timor-Leste.

Pengamatan Hari H

Tim ASEAN menyebar ke beberapa lokasi di sekitar Com. Tim dari ITERA (Indonesia) pimpinan Bapak Dr. Hakim yang lebih berbasis pada riset lebih memilih mengambil lokasi di garis tengah GMT, yaitu di Pantai Airleu. Tim lainnya memilih untuk bertempat di Dermaga Com, termasuk memberikan aba-aba kepada masyarakat tentang kapan boleh melepas kacamata gerhana dan kapan harus memasangnya kembali.

Pemilihan lokasi di Com ini ternyata merupakan pilihan yang sangat tepat. Pertama, karena langitnya sendiri sangat cerah. Meskipun sempat ada kekhawatiran karena tim tiba di Dili disambut dengan hujan, hari-hari menjelang dan saat terjadinya gerhana matahari ini dihiasi dengan langit biru di siang hari dan di malam hari. Sesuai dengan perkiraan potensi tertutup awan 55%, tim mendapatkan sisa 45% yang tidak tertutup awan. Tim mendapatkan laporan cerahnya langit dari rekan-rekan yang mengamati di Exmouth Australia dan di Kisar Indonesia, namun sebaliknya mendung dan hujan di Biak Indonesia.

Kedua, pemandangan sekeliling Com sangat indah alami. Khas Timor-Leste, yaitu pantai, laut, pepohonan, pegunungan di latar belakang, dan bersih dari sampah karena rakyatnya sangat tertib dalam membuang sampah. Pemandangan ini ditunjang oleh keramahan penduduknya yang juga masih bisa bercakap dengan Bahasa Indonesia.

Ketiga, yang menjadi bonus, pemerintah setempat menyelenggarakan panggung hiburan rakyat dan pasar kaget dari pagi hari hingga menjelang terjadinya peristiwa gerhana matahari di dekat Dermaga Com. Para penyanyi diiringi pemain band menyanyikan berbagai lagu dengan Bahasa Tetun yang sekalipun tidak dipahami oleh mayoritas anggota tim namun dapat mengundang untuk ikut bergoyang. Pasar kaget pun menjajakan tidak hanya makanan minuman namun juga termasuk tais, kain tradisional Timor-Leste yang ditenun dengan tangan dan bercorak warna indah. Melalui panggung hiburan tersebut, Maun Luís memberikan aba-aba kapan boleh melepas kacamata gerhana dan kapan harus memasangnya kembali.

Tak hanya itu, Com rupanya menjadi alternatif favorit para pemburu GMT dari mancanegara. Tim bertemu dengan mereka yang datang jauh-jauh dari Amerika Serikat, Portugis, Australia, dan banyak lagi termasuk dari Indonesia.

Aktivitas Pasca GMT

Setelah selesai mengamati GMT, hari berikutnya tim beranjak ke Universidade Nasionál Timór Lorosa’e (UNTL) di Auditorium Kampus Hera untuk berbagi pengalaman mengenai praktik astronomi tidak hanya terbatas pada gerhana. Tim diwakili oleh Bapak Dr. Hakim Luthfi Malasan dari Indonesia, Bang Hazarry Haji Ali Ahmad dari Brunei Darussalam, dan Mas Bonifasius Adi Nugroho dari Indonesia.

Presiden Timor-Leste mengundang para astronom mancanegara untuk ikut dalam jantar (makan-makan) di Palácio de Lahane (Istana Lahane), tempat penerimaan para tamu negara. Ternyata selain acara makan-makan tersebut juga diluncurkan prangko keluaran khusus GMT 20 April 2024. Tim yang hadir cukup beruntung karena mendapatkan amplop yang turut ditandatangani secara langsung oleh Presiden Timor-Leste sendiri.

Penutup

Sekalipun perencanaan awal dimulai dengan keraguan, namun dengan tetap gigih memperjuangkannya ekspedisi GMT 20 April 2024 menjadi suatu ekspedisi yang sangat membekas dalam ingatan segenap anggota tim. Tidak hanya sebatas pada observasi GMT, tim juga merasakan keramahan lokal dari tingkat desa hingga kepala negara, termasuk berbagi ilmu dari tingkat sekolah dasar hingga universitas. Sampai jumpa di ekspedisi GMT ASEAN lainnya!

The sunspot AR3590 is enormous, about eight times the size of Earth and can be safely viewed through ordinary eclipse glasses/solar filter.

Photos by the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) from Mini-Astronomical Observatory, Keriam.

Skywatchers across Brunei Darussalam were treated to a partial solar eclipse, which began yesterday at 3.10pm.

Many used special solar glasses to witness the rare annular event at outdoor locations, while others watched it through a livestreamed session conducted from 2.45pm to 5.30pm by the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD).

The livestream for the Brunei-Muara District was carried out at the Kiarong residence of PABD member Haji Mohd Azri bin Haji Ibrahim, who had even set up viewing equipment for
eager observers.

The PABD also had several other back-ups and livestreaming at strategic points across the country to enable more views of the eclipse.

The observation event was organised by PABD, in collaboration with the MY-East Asia Universe Awareness Solar Eclipse (MY-EAUNIVASE) project, under the partnership network of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) National Outreach Coordinators in nine East
Asian countries.

PABD also collaborated with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) to host a livestreaming discussion titled ‘Astronomy Talk: The Phenomenon of Solar Eclipse’, on June 19 evening.

The general astronomy talk programme provided an opportunity for the public to interact with astronomy and falak syari’e experts.

Brunei Darussalam will witness the next solar eclipse on April 20, 2023.

Two special astronomy topics were presented during the space talk, which was held on Saturday night, December 14, 2019, at the Box, Telanai Avenue.

Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad, General Secretary of PABD, explained to the public members on eclipses with his presentation “Chasing the moon shadow of 2019 Annular Eclipse”.

Md Qawiem bin Hj Md Jamil, Executive Committee of PABD, presented the origin story of dark matter and dark energy, and their evolution.

The talk was aimed to bringing astronomy closer to the public. The session was attended by more than 40 participants, amongst those are Haji Mahadi bin Haji Mohd Tahir, President of PABD, and executive committees of PABD.

Join the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) for this exclusive 6-days Expedition (22-27 December 2019) to witness the annular eclipse of the sun in Sri Aman, a collaboration with Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Masjid Bandar Sri Aman.

Truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Register and Join the convoy at www.bruneiastronomy.org/xpdc

The road trip /convoy will bring you a rare opportunity to watch “a string of beads” (Baily’s Beads Effect) from the edges of the sun, and a very spectacular sight as a small “ring of fire” or annulus remains around the sun at greatest eclipse. This is a rare celestial event as the next annular eclipse will take place in Borneo in 2031!

Details and questions, join PABD Expedition Whatsapp group www.bruneiastronomy.org/expedition or call +673 815 8392 (Husaini)

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.

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.

Related article:
2019 Dec 26 Annular Solar Eclipse: ‘Ring of Fire’ in Borneo, Brunei merely misses it will see partial eclipse

Our Journey

Day 1 (23rd Dec 2019): Depart to Kuching City
Day 2 (24th Dec 2019): Free and Easy / Optional visit to Sultan Iskandar Planetarium
Day 3 (25th Dec 2019): Transfer to observation site
Day 4 (26th Dec 2019): Annular Solar Eclipse observation
Day 5 (27th Dec 2019): Transfer to Kuching City
Day 6 (28th Dec 2019): Depart to Brunei Darussalam

Expedition Cost

Freme Services Sdn Bhd (https://www.freme.com/) will provide a special “Ring of Fire” Adventure package rate which includes return flight, hotels & transport:
ADULT TWIN: FROM BND778 @ PER PERSON 
SINGLE: FROM @ BND970
(Terms & Condition Apply)
FREME TRAVEL SERVICES SDN BHD: Phone: +6732234874 / 75 / 76

PABD also organizes this expedition on road from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuching as another options at a lower cost (~BND200 for transport only).
Members will be provided with a solar glasses (included in the registration fee). Extra eclipse glasses can be purchased separately at B$4 per piece from PABD.

For members who are seriously considering to join our once-a-lifetime adventure, reach PABD Eclipse-Chasing Expedition Group WhatsApp for further inquiry, plan and details of the programme: http://www.bruneiastronomy.org/expedition

UPDATES FROM THE ORGANISER

UPDATE MAY 15 (Countdown 225 days): REGISTRATION OPENS

Salam all

Thanks for your interest to join our eclipse expedition. Whatsapp group
http://www.bruneiastronomy.org/expedition for members who are seriously joining the expedition for our planning, discussion and updates. For details of the programme please contact PABD: Husaini +6738158392 or Hazarry +6738820277

*Transport options: *
[By Flight ] For payment and details of flight, hotels and transportation or contact +6732234874, please visit Freme travel agent BSB. Download itineraries at www.bruneiastronomy.org/kch2019

[By Road ] PABD will rent a van ~ BND$200 per person (excluding hotel) payable to PABD.

[Drive your own ] Meet and join our eclipse observation at Sri Aman.

Register Now: http://www.bruneiastronomy.org/expedition

Thanks

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 .

Partial Eclipse from Brunei Darussalam

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. It is a miss, as people in Brunei will only see a partial eclipse with 85.8% obscuration of the Sun by the Moon. A simulation of the partial Solar Eclipse as seen from Brunei during mid-day is shown in the video below.

Since people in Brunei will only witness the partial obscuration of the sun by the moon, features that are normally visible during annular/total eclipse such as ring of fire and darkening of the sky/surrounding will not be observable from Brunei.

Eclipse timing for Brunei Darussalam

The partial eclipse which will start at exactly 12:04 pm, will last for about three hours and 39 minutes in Brunei. The maximum phase of the eclipse will occur at 2:02:58 pm with the moon covering 85.8 per cent of the sun’s disc. The partial eclipse will end when the moon leaves the sun’s edge at 3.43 pm. Diagrams of the eclipse sequence or phases from Brunei in Local Time are as follow:

From Bandar Seri Begawan, the percentage of the Sun’s disk covered by the Moon will proceed as follows:

Future Eclipses from Brunei Darussalam

The next eclipses visible from Brunei Darussalam:
1. Partial Solar (28.2%) on Sunday, 21 June 2020
2. Total Lunar on Wednesday, 26 May 2021 and Partial Lunar on Friday, 19 November 2021

Worldwide Visibility of Annular Eclipse – In the Moon’s shadow

The annular eclipse will be visible in a very narrow 9000 km path (blue line of about 158 km width) across the globe crossing Saudi Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Borneo. From this area, the annular eclipse can be visible for up to 3 minutes and 39 second at the greatest path. These are the cities which will experience the annular eclipse:

Use this Interactive World Map of the Annular Sun Eclipse of December 26, 2019 by time.unitarium.com to find out the start time of the eclipse: http://time.unitarium.com/events/eclipse/122019/map.html

While for most areas (yellow shade) outside the central path will only get to see partial eclipse of the sun, with different degree of the moon covering the Sun or magnitude depending on your location. For Brunei, the magnitude is 85.8%.

This map shows the path of the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2019 Dec 26 for ASEAN region. The path limits are in yellow and the central line is blue, a merely misses for Brunei – you must be somewhere within the central path to see the annular phase of the eclipse such as from Bau, Kota Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman and Betong in Sarawak. The red lines indicate the different magnitude or fraction of the Sun’s diameter occulted by the Moon during the eclipse, for ASEAN region.

Annular eclipse timings and duration for Borneo

Use this table to determine the beginning and ending of the partial phase and annularity eclipse from different major cities in Borneo.

Notice from the table above that the duration of annularity will be longer as the location gets very close to the central line annular eclipse path.

What to expect during Annular Eclipse of the sun

Caution: During an annular eclipse of the sun, a ‘ring of fire’ remains and the Sun still emits direct light.  Even though the sunlight is greatly reduced, it is still not possible to safely view with the naked eyes.  Solar filters must be used throughout.  As a result, key features of the Total Solar Eclipse such as the corona and seeing stars/planets are missing but ones will still experience the gradual dimming of light, fauna reactions, the approaching darkness (moon’s shadow) on the horizon and seeing the Ring. It is still a rare opportunity to watch Baily’s Beads can generally be had from the edges of the path of the annular eclipse.

Viewing the sun eclipse safely

Watching a solar eclipse will be a breath taking experience especially because of it’s rarity, mystery and religious beliefs. However, it comes with a warning! Our sun emits dangerous radiations. Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar filter even when if the Sun is almost completely blocked during the solar eclipse.

Solar UV radiation can burn the retinas at the back of your eyes, and cause permanent damage or even blindness. Avoid using improper solar filters such CD, plastic bag, sunglasses, exposed x-ray film etc. to view the sun as harmful radiation can still pass through these objects.  You can purchase a solar eclipse glass. Another safe method of viewing the sun is to use a projection of the sun using small pin-hole camera or binocular or a small telescope.

Upcoming activities and observation for this eclipse will be updated on this page soon.

Eclipse Climatogy

According to eclipsophile.com, for the South East Asian countries, the increasing southeasterly track of the Moon’s shadow takes it deep into equatorial moisture and the extensive cloudiness.  The centreline trace of monthly cloudiness in figure above shows values of over 75% in Sri Lanka, a value that increases a further 10% by the peninsula of North Sumatera (Sumatra).  At Singapore, where totality occurs at noon, satellite measurements of cloud cover reach 95%, a value that seems far too high in view of the approximately 33 percent of possible sunshine at most stations shown in table below.

However, the surface-based cloud observations are in close agreement, with no observations at all of clear skies and a 93-100% frequency of broken and overcast skies at most of the stations. This is a very cloudy region of the globe, especially in the afternoon.

“Ring of Fire” eclipse expedition to Kuching from BSB, Brunei

Bruneian eclipse chasers who are interested to join our expedition to watch the spectacular Ring of Fire from Kuching, Borneo, can register and join our WhatsApp discussion via www.bruneiastronomy.org/expedition

This is a must for eclipse chasers as the next annular solar eclipse to take place from Borneo will not happen until 21 May 2031!

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.

The observation was jointly organised by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali’s  (UNISSA) Faculty of Islamic Development Management and Leadership and Lifelong Learning Centre, as part of the convocation festival aimed at enlivening the annual 8th UNISSA Hafl Al-Takharruj ceremony to celebrate the students who will be completing their studies at UNISSA.

Media Coverage

Dozens turn up for solar observation

September 12, 2018
| Wani Roslan |

A SOLAR observation was yesterday held at the parking lot of the International Convention Centre (ICC) parking lot as part of activities to enliven the 8th Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).

The event was held in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.
Two special telescopes with solar filters and hydrogen alpha filters were used to observe the sun and moon safely.

Speaking to the Bulletin, General Secretary of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam Hazarry Ali Ahmad explained that the event was held to provide the public the opportunity to safely observe the sun and moon.
“We are using the Hydrogen Alpha filter for the first time in Brunei Darussalam. We are aligning our objectives to provide an outreach programme to the public to increase our knowledge on astronomy, including Islamic astronomy,” he said.

Dozens had turned up for the 10am-2pm event.

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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.

Visibility
On March 9th, 2016 Wednesday, the total solar eclipse will be visible from Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and from locations in the Pacific ocean.
The eclipse will be partial for people in South and East Asia (including Brunei) and northern and eastern Australia. The eclipse map below shows the limiting magnitude of the solar eclipse around our neighboring countries (note the different partial obscuration based on the magnitude) and total solar eclipse only happens on the small stretch totality path.

Eclipse timing for Brunei Darussalam
The eclipse which will start at 7.30am, will last for about two hours and 24 minutes in Brunei. The maximum phase of the eclipse will occur at 8.37am with the moon covering 76.5 per cent of the sun’s disc. The partial eclipse will end when the moon leaves the sun’s edge at 9.54am. Diagrams of the eclipse sequence or phases and Local Time from Brunei are as follow,

Where to See the Eclipse in Brunei?
The celestial spectacle will be visible anywhere in Brunei as long as we have a clear sky. Do make sure that you have an unblocked Eastern horizon i.e. free from trees, buildings etc. The venue for national solar eclipse observation will be announced as soon as we have confirmation (please let us know via email at hazarry@bruneiastronomy.org, if you are organising any solar eclipse observation).

1. Masjid Pekan Seria. Organise by Ahli-Ahli Khas Masjid Pekan Seria

Protect Your Eyes!

Watching a solar eclipse will be a breath taking experience especially because of it’s rarity, mystery and religious beliefs. However, it comes with a warning! Our sun emits dangerous radiations. Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar filter. Solar UV radiation can burn the retinas at the back of your eyes, and cause permanent damage or even blindness. Avoid using improper solar filters such CD, plastic bag, sunglasses, exposed x-ray film etc. to view the sun as harmful radiation can still pass through these objects.  You can buy a solar eclipse glass here at the Mall Gadong, Brunei. Another safe method of viewing the sun is to use a projection of the sun using small pin-hole camera or binocular or a small telescope.

Past and Future eclipses in Brunei

• Last 2012 May 21 Solar (Partial) and 2013 May 10 Solar (Partial)
• Future 2019 Dec 26 Solar (Partial)
  So, the next solar eclipse will not happen until 2019 in Brunei and more reasons for us not to miss this astronomical show.

Upcoming lunar eclipses:

• 2017 Aug 7 / Aug 8 Lunar (Partial)
• 2018 Jan 31 / Feb 1 Lunar (Total)
• 2018 Jul 28 Lunar (Total)
• 2019 Jul 17 Lunar (Partial)

[youtube width=”602″ height=”350″ video_id=”JVnSelj3QhA”]

//FOR PRESS RELEASE