>>> Vietnamese enjoy decade’s last solar eclipse
The ‘super beautiful’ astronomical event is considered a must for 2020 as astronomical lovers must wait 11 years to have the opportunity to admire this amazing phenomenon again.
The eclipse is expected to begin in Central Africa, then passing through Saudi Arabia, northern India and parts of southern China, before concluding in the Pacific Ocean. The partial eclipse phase can be observed in most of East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, including in Vietnam.
Unlike the last solar eclipse that was visible in Vietnam last December, this time Vietnamese people in the North will observe a partial eclipse with a maximum coverage rate greater than that observed in the Southern Vietnam. Specifically, the highest coverage rate is expected at 79% in the northernmost province of Ha Giang and the lowest will be at 27% in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.
In Hanoi, the partial eclipse will begin at 13:16, before peaking at 14:55 with a coverage rate of 71% and ending at 16:18. In Da Nang, the partial eclipse will begin at 13:30, reaching its peak at 15:04 with a coverage rate of 56%. In Ho Chi Minh City, it will start at 13:37 before peaking at 15:05 with a coverage rate of only 36%, ending at 16:18.
After this eclipse, Vietnamese people have to wait until 2023 to observe this amazing astronomical phenomenon again. However, the solar eclipse set to occur on April 20, 2023 will be almost negligible in Vietnam, as the sun is only expected to be obscured by up to 5%.
The next two partial solar eclipses in 2027 and 2028 are also not set to be that noticeable because of very low coverage rates, reaching only 15% and 30%, respectively.
It is not until 2031 that Vietnamese people can enjoy an interesting lunar eclipse, when places in Vietnam will be able to observe a coverage rate up to 80%.
Thus, the solar eclipse this Sunday is a great opportunity for Vietnamese people who want to observe this interesting astronomical phenomenon.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon lies between the earth and the sun, partially or fully covering the sun as seen from the earth. During the annular eclipse, the moon is furthest from the earth on its elliptical orbit, creating a 'ring of fire' as it partially eclipses the sun.
Experts recommend observers to view the eclipse indirectly or with proper protective glasses on to protect their eyes from high-intensity ultraviolet rays and retinal burns.
