MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos can see a "ring of fire" in the sky during the annular solar eclipse on December 26.
The annular solar eclipse, which happens when the moon is farthest from Earth, is visible by afternoon. Since the moon is farther away than usual from Earth, it appears smaller and does not block the entire view of the sun, forming a "ring of fire" effect or annulus.
Mario Raymundo, chief of PAGASA's Astronomical Observatory, said Thursday that in the Philippines, the annular solar eclipse could
be best observed in the southernmost part of Davao Occidental. PAGASA will
be observing the annular solar eclipse at the Port of Mabila on Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental which is on the path of annularity. All other parts of the country could only see it as a partial solar eclipse.
"
Maaaring
makakita
ang
mga
nakatira
sa Barangay
Kitayo
diyan
sa may
bandang southernmost portion of the Philippines. Dito
po may community
dito
sa
Baranggay
Butulan... and then
sa [Barangay]
Balangonan and
Batolaki," Raymundo said.
The state weather bureau said the eclipse, which would last for over three hours, would
begin to
be observed at the Port of Mabila at 12:45 p.m. and would end at 3:58 p.m. The duration of annularity or when a perfect "ring of fire" can
be seen is for two minutes and 32.5 seconds.
Quezon City and Manila can also see a partial annular eclipse at around 2 p.m., he said.
"Quezon City almost 60%
ang obscuration."
The maximum eclipse can be seen at the following times in different areas in the Philippines:
- Manila 2:19 p.m.
- Quezon City: 2:19 p.m.
- Aparri: 2:19 p.m.
- Laoag: 2:16 p.m.
- Legazpi: 2:26 p.m.
- Puerto Princesa: 2:14 p.m.
- Mactan, Cebu: 2:27 p.m.
- General Santos: 2:30 p.m.
- Balut Island: 2:30 p.m.
The next time the annular solar can be observed in the Philippines is on June 21, 2020 but it will only be partially visible
at that time. July 20, 1944 was the last time the country experienced the annular solar eclipse which was also best seen in Mindanao.
READ: Potential storm may enter PAR ahead of Christmas
But with an incoming potential tropical cyclone,
observation of the eclipse might be affected.
"Malaki ang posibilidad na talaga makaapekto ito sa aming observation. Sana po ay mas mabilis na dumaan ang nabubuong sama ng panahon diyan sa Mindanao," Raymundo said.
Don't watch with your naked eye
Engr. Dario
dela Cruz, chief of the Space Sciences and Astronomy Section of PAGASA, also warned the public to protect their vision and avoid observing the astronomical event with their naked eyes.
"Pagka talaga nag-oobserve tayo ng solar eclipses kailangan talaga natin yung proteksyon ng ating mata. Pagka tinitignan kasi natin 'yung araw kahit sandali lang ay nagkakaroon tayo ng temporary blindness so kailangan talaga natin ng mga filters."
He said PAGASA astronomers use Mylar filters but since these might be expensive he advised the public to try using unconventional tools to protect their eyes like the glass used by welders.
"So
ang
ginagamit
kasi
namin ay
itong
tinatawag naming Mylar.
Kasi
mahirap
naman
makabili
ng
ganito so kung
pupunta kayo
sa observatory
mayroon
kaming
ipapamahagi na
gagawin
ng
mga
tao roon."
Dela Cruz also suggested using exposed film but warned that one should not use it to stare at the eclipse for a prolonged period.
"
Titingnan
natin and then
balik
ulit then
babalik."
He said people could also fill a laundry tub with water and then stare at the reflection of the eclipse there.
Where to watch
But those who want to enjoy the phenomenon safely could go to PAGASA's Astronomical Observatory
which is open for free to the
general public on the day of the eclipse.
PAGASA said
telescopes would be set up for people to use. — with Mikas Matsuzawa