Everything About The Rare Solar Eclipse That’ll Happen on Boxing Day for S’poreans

Truth be told, I’ve never seen a solar eclipse in person, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.

I say this because solar eclipses are touted as ‘rare’. In fact, they’re so rare that local astronomers are even calling them a “once in a lifetime” event.

Are you excited yet?

If yes, then read on and I’ll fill you in on how you can catch this once in a lifetime event.

Everything About The Rare Solar Eclipse That’ll Happen on Boxing Day for S’poreans

Those who don’t have travel plans on 26 December will be pleased to know that you don’t need to leave our sunny island to experience something exciting (and not sunny at all).

Besides the uncharacteristically chilly weather in December and the cold, rainy nights, you can also look forward to an annular solar eclipse that will take place on 26 December.

Members of the public can look forward to experiencing this phenomenon and get this: the next time you can see it in Singapore will be many many many years from now. #fomo

What’s A Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon covers the sun’s centre. This leaves the sun’s visible outer edges, which then forms a “ring” around the moon.

Pretty cool stuff.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this happens when the moon is farthest from the earth, which makes it appear smaller. Thus, it doesn’t block the entire view of the sun.

Very simply speaking, it looks like a lighted ring in the sky.

Exactly When It Will Take Place

Have I piqued your interest yet and are you excited to witness this eclipse? Cause I am.

The website states, This rare ‘ring of fire’ around the moon is a truly once in a lifetime event which you must not miss, as the next annular solar eclipse to be seen from Singapore will only be year 2063.”

“Although there are solar eclipses happening somewhere around the world yearly, not all of them are visible to us due to a mismatch in the location and timing of the eclipses and the rotation of the earth.”

How To View It

It will start at around 11.27am and lasts till 3.18pm.

The point where everyone’s looking forward to is from 1.22pm to 1.24pm, where up to 94% of the sun’s surface will be covered by the moon.

• The Astronomical Society of Singapore & People’s Association will set up telescopes at PAssion WaVe@Jurong Lake Gardens.
• The Science Centre Singapore will hold an event for the public at Ecogarden from 11am to 3pm, but be sure to reserve slots online which will be released from 7pm on 25 December.

Fair warning though, do not look at the sun through your own binoculars or telescopes if they don’t have special filters as it can cause permanent eye damage and blindness.

Oh and don’t bring your picnic mats out hoping to witness it at East Coast Park either, because it’s only visible in the Southern half of Singapore.