A rare annular solar eclipse will be seen in the Philippines on Father’s Day, June 21, 2020, a day that also coincides with the occurrence of the summer solstice.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) announced the two astronomical events ahead of the Sunday family celebration in a video explainer by Ghela Lequiron posted on the weather agency’s social media on June 19.
The annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is at its new moon phase and at its apogee or farthest distance from the earth when it comes between the Earth and the Sun.
The moon at apogee appears smaller than the sun and will not completely cover the sun but leaves a thin ring of the outer solar disc still visible – at times referred to as the ring of fire. The next annular solar eclipse will next be seen in the year 2063.
The June solar eclipse can be seen throughout the Philippines, though in varying degrees of partial obscuration.
Luzon areas can see more of the sun covered by the moon. Itbayat, Batanes will have the biggest obscuration at 91 %. Quezon City in Metro Manila, where the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory is located inside the University of the Philippines Diliman, will have 68% obscuration.
The Visayas will have 52 – 66 % obscuration.
Mindanao areas will see 42 – 56 % obscuration.
The solar eclipse can be seen in the Philippines for over two hours and 30 minutes, starting from 3:01 p.m. The maximum eclipse shows at 4:22 p.m. Eclipse ends at 5:31 p.m.
In the press conference, Lequiron reminded the public not to look directly at the solar eclipse that may cause eye damage and instead use shades, binoculars, or telescopes with special solar filters, goggles, water reflection, or pinholes on a cardboard sheet or paper.
On the same day of the eclipse, the Philippines is also experiencing its shortest night and longest day as the June summer solstice kicked in at 5:44 am. During a solstice, the sun is at its greatest northerly or southerly distance from the equator.
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TELL US in the comments below about your experience on Father’s Day and the solar eclipse!
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