Varanasi witnesses total solar eclipse, Taregna under clouds...

 

    

 

Varanasi has witnessed a total solar eclipse while Taregna lost out on account of a thick cloud cover.

Varanasi, 7.27 am: It's the end of the eclipse. From our position at the rooftop of a hotel at Assi ghat, we can see hundreds of bathers still swarming in for a dip in the Ganga. But we are still coming to grips with the awesome sights of an hour ago, when for 3 minutes and 4 seconds, the totality held us spellbound. We checked our pictures. Some of us have managed to capture a solar prominence - a huge line of fire coming out from the sun's surface and going back in. The group of amateur astronomers is getting news thick and fast from other places. Taregana, Patna, Sasaram ? all missed the totality to clouds, except for Sasaram where it was visible for 10 seconds. I guess, we were incredibly lucky to have seen the sight of century.

 

Varanasi, 6.26 am: It was pure magic. Seconds before totality, a diamond ring formed in the sky sparkling with stunning beauty. Seconds later, all went dark. The sun was totally eclipsed. A roar went up as thousands at Assi Ghat cheered in unison. I doubt whether there is another sight quite like this. We are all watching in awe.

 

Taregna, 6.21 am: It's complete darkness in Taregna, a condition that is going to last for 3 minutes and 48 seconds. Lights have been switched on, probably the only indicator that the eclipse has taken place as clouds still keep the spectacular view away.

 

Varanasi, 6.20am: It's 4 minutes to totality. The sunshine has turned a pale yellow, it's suddenly gone dark and the noise from the bathers is reaching a crescendo. We continue to have good, clear, view of the sun unlike other places in the region. The air has suddenly turned cool and we are waiting with bated breath.

 

Varanasi, 6am: A lot of action here at the Assi Ghat, Varanasi. The eclipse is at 60% at the moment. Thousands of bathers streaming in, chanting Hare Ram, Hare Ram. Meanwhile, Varanasi seems to be one of the only sites in the totality zone where the cloud cover is only partial, giving us breathtaking views of the sun through the naked eye as it passes through thin clouds. Waiting to totality with bated breath.

 

Varanasi, 5.31 am: Solar eclipse starts. Being witnessed despite cloud cover.

 

Taregna, 5.20 am: Clouds threaten to play spoilsport. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy CM and other important people of the area have arrived. A chartered flight carrying eminent astronomers and researchers has left for Taregna from Delhi .

 

Varanasi, 4.50 am: Dawn has broken over Varanasi and, would you believe it, the sky looks clear! That's a huge relief since the weather sites have been predicting a 'mostly cloudy sky' scenario at this time. We are heading to the Assi ghat on the Ganga. A friend tells us puja has already started. Personally we are praying that the sky remains just as it's now. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

Taregna, 4.41 am: It’s a sea of humanity all around the Taregna Referral Hospital. On the rooftop of the newly constructed building of the hospital which is yet to become functional. Government has made arrangements for scientists, foreigners and mediamen to view the century’s most spectacular celestial event

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Scientists track eclipse from aircraft, conduct experiments...

 

 

NEW DELHI: Solar eclipse trackers on the ground were not be the only ones studying the spectacle as the IAF and astrophysicists conducted experiments and filmed the celestial event from a fighter jet and a transport aircraft.

 

A Mirage-2000 fighter jet and an AN-32 medium lift transport aircraft took to the skies early this morning with a team of astrophysicists and IAF personnel onboard who carried out some experiments and filmed the longest total solar eclipse of the century.

 

The fighter aircraft took off from the IAF airbase in Gwalior, while the transport aircraft with scientists from Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology flew from Agra towards Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

 

Scientists from Noida-based Vigyan Prasar, Udaipur-based Solar Observatory and Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics participated in the experiments and the filming.

 

As the transport aircraft reached 25,000 feet altitude, its rear ramp was opened to enable the scientists carry out their experiments, T K Singha, spokesperson of the Indian Air Force said.

 

Four scientists and a six-member crew from Doordarshan conducted several experiments, particularly on the Corona observed during totality and filmed the celestial spectacle.

 

They had to wear oxygen masks while conducting experiments as they were flying at high altitude.

 

"There were lots of doubts yesterday because of the weather. But today we were very fortunate. The sky was clear and we would complete our experiments and videography at about 25,000 feet before and after the totality of the eclipse," Vinay Kamble, director, Vigyan Prasar said.

 

"We are very satisfied. The experiments were very successful," he said.

 

Among other senior scientists involved in the experiment with the IAF include Prof. P Venkatakrishnan, Dr. Shibu Matthews from Udaipur Solar Observatory; Prof K.E. Rangarajan and Dr. B. Ravindra from Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.

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Cloudy skies mar eclipse in many parts of India...

 

At many places a thick cloud cover dampened the spirits of skywatchers who had gathered to watch the celestial spectacle. With the sun blanked out for six minutes and 39 seconds, this was the longest total solar eclipse to occur in the 21st century, and will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132.