Thousands in Singapore dazzled by rare 'ring of fire' solar eclipse
SINGAPORE — Thousands of people in Singapore gathered all over the island on Boxing Day (26 December) to catch a glimpse of a rare annular solar eclipse.
According to the Science Centre, the phenomenon occurs when the Moon covers the Sun's centre, leaving the Sun's visible outer edges to form a “ring of fire” or annulus around the Moon. It was the first time in two decades that the sight was visible in Singapore.
The name “annular” comes from the Latin word for ring, “annulus”. The eclipse began at 11.27am and reached its zenith at 1.23pm.
At various locations such as schools, Bishan Park, the Science Centre and Jurong Lake Garden, onlookers armed with solar viewing glasses gathered with picnic mats, food and umbrellas, as well as games and entertainment to occupy the young ones. The crowds ranged from young children to working adults to the elderly.
Some were serious astronomy hobbyists armed with equipment such as refractor telescopes.
Hundreds were also seen gathering near Tanjong Pagar MRT station at the junction of Peck Seah Street and Choon Guan Street, with many staring up at the sun. A busload of Korean tourists alighted at the junction just in time to witness the phenomenon.
Polytechnic student Chen Yi Rong, 19, came to Marina Barrage with a group of five friends after hearing about the phenomenon through social media. “It was a pretty cool and surreal moment, and the fact that it won’t happen again till 2063.”
His friend Sui Hui Ping, 19, concurred that the moment felt unreal and even somewhat “fake”. She said, “The moon looked like it had been highlighted. When it was dark, the whole place looked like a vintage filter.”
At 1.23pm, when the Moon fully covered the Sun, many in the crowd gave loud cheers and clapped.
Photography enthusiast Sharifah Ali Rahman, 46, felt a sense of satisfaction as she managed to capture images of the annulus. The 46-year-old had turned up at the Barrage with two other friends at 8.30am in order to secure a good spot.
So was it worth the effort? “The roaring of the crowd drowned out my voice. They were so happy, and I got to share the experience with them.”
The next annular solar eclipse that can be seen from Singapore will occur on 28 February 2063.
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