SOLAR ECLIPSE

LONGEST TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 21ST CENTURY SWEEPS ACROSS HALF THE GLOBE

The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century cut through the world’s most populous nations, India and China, as it travelled half the globe(on JULLY 22). It was visible along a roughly 250 km-wide corridor, In Hindu-majority Nepal, the government declared a public holiday and thousands headed for water. next will be July 13-2132.The dark shadow of the moon — the conical shaped umbra —made its landfall in Gujarat at 6.30 a.m. and raced across the country within a span of a few minutes spreading darkness in the path of totality.

TAREGNA VILLAGE, BIHAR

The Total Solar Eclipse, Surya Grahan, taking place on July 22, 2009 will be visible for 3 minutes and 38 seconds in the morning from Taregna Village in Bihar in India. Thousands of scientists and Astro tourists are expected to arrive in the village to watch the eclipse as it is the epicenter of the 22 July Total Solar Eclipse. Interestingly, ‘Taregna’ means counting stars. Aryabhatta, the famous astronomer of ancient India, is believed to have studied stars and planets from Taregna. He is said to have had his observatory at Taregna Math.

INCOIS TO ISSUE INDIAN OCEAN CURRENT FORECASTS

 In a first initiative of its kind in the country, scientists would start issuing forecasts for surface currents of the Indian Ocean from next year.The government has identified the Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), which runs the tsunami warning system, for the purpose. A knowledge of surface ocean currents is essential for shipping, fishery and related sectors, and accurate information could help reduce fuel costs.

 A high computing system is being installed at INCOIS to enable scientists to process data from various earth observation systems, INCOIS would start issuing ocean current forecasts for the entire Indian Ocean next year.