LABUAN: Students and teachers at the Labuan International School (LIS) gathered with keen anticipation at the school compound as early at 7.20am yesterday to witness a solar eclipse through the eclipse-viewing tools.
The view from Labuan showed up to 75 per cent of the sun blocked out by the passing of the moon in a rare solar eclipse, the next one of which would be in the year 2019.
This event was the school’s first solar observation programme, initiated by its Science and Religious Department, led by Fadlin Aimuni Binting, to cultivate greater interest in the field of science and astronomy.
The students have been learning to observe the sun through solar telescopes set up in the school’s open spaces with unhindered view of the sky.
“It is still something special to be able to witness a partial solar eclipse and a fantastic and memorable learning experience for the students,” she said.
“The teachers and students were able to view the partial solar eclipse using solar-filtered telescopes, camera and solar glasses, and we were all excited with the spectacular science phenomena. It is always our hope that this relatively rare event would be able to spark students’ curiosity in the sciences and astronomy field, and quite a rarity to be able to view a solar eclipse with around 75 per cent coverage,” Fadlin said.
The phenomenon began about 7.42 am, as the moon began to pass in front of the sun which subsequently appeared as a crescent, with illuminated side of the sun appearing less than half with the shadow of the moon passing through which was seen by the viewers from around 8.18am till 9.18am.
LIS principal Zainab Batin said the important objective of this activity was to give the school children an opportunity to learn about space and to create awareness of the natural wonders that surrounds them.
“Giving such an exposure will allow our students to appreciate the earth and be able to have an in-depth knowledge about our universe,” she said.
http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/03/10/labuan-students-teachers-in-awe-at-seeing-rare-solar-eclipse/
