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Saturday, May 19, 2012

Annular Eclipse Kyoto May 21

金境月食5月21日2012年京都

For the first time in 282 years, an annular eclipse will be visible in Kyoto.

For non-astronomers, an annular solar eclipse takes place when the moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the sun. This causes the sun to look like a ring (in Latin, "annulus"), blocking most of the Sun's light.

At that time, the sky will become slightly darker, and there will still be a blindingly bright ring, which is dangerous to look directly at.

This annular eclipse will be visible from most of Kyoto, early Monday morning, but parts of the north and west of the city fall just outside the viewing area.

Those north of Kamigawa Shrine or west of the JR Torokko train station, in Arashiyama, need to head farther in towards the center of the city.

If you have your viewing glasses ready - do NOT look directly at the eclipse with sun glasses or any other material not made expressly for the purpose of looking at the eclipse - the partial eclipse begins at 6:17 (41 seconds) am Monday morning the 21st. At that point, the moon will touch the sun's edge.

The climax begins at 7:30 am. The peak of the annular eclipse will take place at 7:30:35 am. The peak will end at 7:31:09.

The annular eclipse ends at 8:55:17, when the moon leaves the sun's edge.


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