Solar eclipse

Just got a glimpse of the solar eclipse from our terrace. It had been cloudy and raining all day so we had just given up hope of seeing it. But around 4.30 pm or so when we went up, we found that the clouds had cleared up. We quickly ripped apart a floppy and saw the eclipse - for less than a second. This floppy method too is not recommended, though. It was rather grand. There was a website showing the progress of the eclipse, but I guess it was animated. Looking at the real thing, is something, which should not be missed.

The atmosphere of Bombay is so polluted, that half the intensity of the sun gets absorbed by the tons of dust and smog floating above us at all times. Helps to keep eyes safe.

The planetarium boys had set up elaborate viewing equipment. It would have been exciting to go there, but then its too far from our office. And moreover, it had been cloudy all day and it was just our luck that the clouds blew away during the eclipse.

This was not a total solar eclipse this time. The next total solar eclipse over Bombay is on 22 July 2009. If not, blame Rediff, because thats where I got that information.