2008 Aug 01 The First Solar Eclipse of the Century (but not for Beijing!)
Folks in the western and central parts of China will be looking skywards this evening as the first solar eclipse of the century happens tonight at around 6:20pm local time. The rare astronomical event will be visible in some parts of the country, beginning in Xinjiang and ending in Henan, and the best views of a total eclipse should be from the city of Xi’an, in Sha’anxi province. Other cities, including Nanjing, should be able to view a partial eclipse, but unfortunately it looks as though Beijingers will miss out on the show because the eclipse is not expected to be visible from the capital.
But fear not, astronomy buffs: Xinhua reports the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will broadcast the total solar eclipse live on the Internet at www.kepu.com.cn starting from 6:20pm, and the Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory of CAS (www.pmo.jsinfo.net) and Shanghai Astronomical Observatory Online (www.astron.sh.cn/live/2008eclipse) will also broadcast the eclipse live.
And as for any potential fears that the eclipse may be a portent for unexpected events to occur during the Olympics and beyond, this AFP report can perhaps offer some reassurance.
Links and Sources:
Xinhua: China to broadcast solar eclipse live on Internet
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/29/content_8837475.htm
AFP: Solar Eclipse won’t spook Olympics: Astrologers
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gcuUVIIDBMpUIKJrUgklZ0dIj_uw
China.org.cn: Aug 1: First total eclipse of the sun in China this century
http://www.china.org.cn/china/sci_tech/2008-07/28/content_16085063.htm
Virtualreview.org
http://virtualreview.org/china/zoom/667191/online-eclipse
Shanghaidaily.com: Online eclipse
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=368633
Chinese Academy of Sciences
www.kepu.com.cn
Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory
www.pmo.jsinfo.net
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory Online
www.astron.sh.cn/live/2008eclipse
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