Annular Solar Eclipse on January 15
The Centre organized a popular science lecture on ‘Eclipses & Myths’ on 15th January 2010 for the benefit of students & teachers. The lecture was delivered by Shri Biman Basu, Former Editor, Science Reporter-a popular science magazine. The lecture was organised to commemorate an annular solar eclipse on January 15, the longest lasting annular solar eclipse of this century. Shri Basu elaborated on the history of the solar eclipses and thus the myths surfaced in the society. He also explained about the related myths and explained that the eclipses are just natural phenomena. Shri Basu also explained the various types on solar eclipses which are formed due to the different positioning of the celestial bodies i.e. Sun, Earth and Moon. He further elaborated the track of the 15th January 2010 annular Solar Eclipse worldwide and advised on safe solar eclipse viewing. The lecture was followed by active interaction with students. The Centre made wide publicity through the electronic and print media for the safe annular solar eclipse viewing on 15th January 2010 and distributed solar goggles to masses on that day. The Centre made special arrangements for watching the eclipse safely and had accordingly invited many students, teachers and general public in large numbers for viewing of this much awaited celestial event. The people enjoyed viewing eclipse through reflected image made by telescopes and binoculars with solar filters, pin-hole cameras and special solar goggles. There was a live telecast of the solar eclipse viewing by reputed electronic channels from our Centre. More than 3000 people enjoyed watching eclipse on that day.
