Partial solar eclipse in Brunei

Image from the Brunei Astronomical Society website

So, it was indeed not a rainy day to watch the eclipse though a bit cloudy early in the morning. My own eye-witness report would be that the day suddenly turned dark as it was like six-thirty in the evening when in fact it was only about 8:30am. The local news report said that the partial solar ecplise in Brunei lasted from 8:48am until 10:32am.

Elsewhere in the world, this news report said that at least one woman died and six more hurt as a result of a stampede on the banks of Ganges River in India where 2,500 people have gathered.  The Hindus believe that bathing during special occassions like the eclipse will cleanse away one’s sins. As Buddhists prayed in temples in Bangkok, Muslims in Brunei prayed for a special prayer and sought protection from Allah this morning.

Today’s total eclipse is the longest in this century since 11 July 1991. There will never be any more longer eclipse the world will see until the year 2132. How old would I be by then? The next solar eclipse in Brunei, also partial, is on 15 January2010. So mark your diary sky-gazers.

Below are some pictures I took from my backyard and from a friend in Bandar…

At 8:37am

At 8:41am

At 8:48am

At 8:50am

At 9:24am

 

Okay, sorry thats it as both my friend and I have to earn a living after 9:24am….