PENANG: Two eclipses usher in the Year of the Rat in that rare phenomenon seen only once in 18 years – a partial solar eclipse on the first day of Chinese New Year and another on Chap Goh Meh. However, Malaysians will not be able to witness either one due to the alignment of earth, sun and moon.
This will be the first time in 18 years that the phenomenon would occur, said Dr Chuah Chong Cheng, a Yijing scholar who also studies astronomy and astrology. “The first eclipse of the year, an annular solar eclipse, will happen today, while a total solar eclipse is scheduled for Feb 21 which is Chap Goh Meh. The eclipses, one on Chu Yi (Mandarin for the first day of Chinese New Year) and the other on Chap Goh Meh, is a very unique occurrence. It happened in 1990 and it will occur again in 2026,” Dr Chuah said.
Dr Chuah said people in the western hemisphere would have the chance to see the two eclipses but as Chinese New Year is a global celebration, it was an omen for all. Going by past trends, Dr Chuah said that there was a possibility that this year may kick off big developments for Malaysia, surpassing earlier mega projects, from which the people would benefit.
“Many mega projects kicked off in the country in 1990 and there is a chance we will see that again,” he said.
When contacted, Universiti Sains Malaysia Astronomy Club academic advisor Dr Chong Hon Yew said the eclipses were very special. “An average of two solar eclipses occur every year, so for both to happen during the Chinese New Year celebrations is something special. Some very traditional Chinese may feel that eclipses during this time is pantang (taboo), but when talking about space and eclipses, there is actually nothing to fear,” he added.
Source: ANDREA FILMER, The Star, 7 Feb 2008
正月26日是普天同庆的农历新年，看似和往年没有什么两样，其实今年的年初一真的与往年不同，因为当天将提早天黑。
在平常的日子里，由于马来半岛的时间比天文时间提早1小时15分，天黑必定在傍晚7时15分至7时45分之间，但今年的大年初一则在4时30分过后便开始昏暗，要在阳光普照之下的白天变得昏暗只有一个现象—日食，而且是一个食份很高的日食。
日食和月食都是一种自然现象，只要从太阳、地球及月球的相对位置来推想就能明白，月球环绕地球运行而地球又环绕太阳公转，3颗天体难免恰巧连成直线，这时日食或月食就会产生。
地球与月球本身都不发亮，只能反射阳光，在背阳面拖着一条圆锥形的黑影称为影锥，当月球运行至太阳与地球之间，如果这时3颗天体正好处于一条直线，在地球上被月球影锥扫过的区域就能见到月球把太阳挡了一部分或全部，这就是日食现象。
大年初一日偏食的开始时间为4时32分，食甚是为下午5时50分。结束时间为傍晚6点59分，我国最高食分的城市为斗湖，食分达98巴仙，山打根 95达巴仙，亚庇92巴仙，整个砂拉越包过汶莱的食份都超过95巴仙，整个砂拉越包括汶莱的食分都超过95巴仙，从砂拉越海岸线算起，越接近南部的印尼边 界食份越大，古晋的食份为97巴仙，而南部边界附近的居民甚至可见日环食，这是21世纪中，马来西亚境内所见的第一个日环食。
西马方面，食分最高的城市为新山80巴仙，马六甲75巴仙，芙蓉74巴仙，吉隆坡72巴仙，关丹70巴仙，怡保68巴仙，瓜拉登加楼67巴仙，哥打巴鲁65巴仙，槟城65巴仙，亚罗士打63巴仙及加央62巴仙。
观赏日食是危险的，如果直接用肉眼看太阳，眼睛肯定会盲，因此使用正规日食镜（或称太阳滤光镜）是必要的，这种日食镜在天文学会活动中可以买到， 除了正规的日食镜可以长时间正视太阳之外，其他非正规镜片如烧焊镜、爆光底片（必须是黑白菲林）、X光底片甚至是报废VCD等等，都不可用来正视太阳，但 却可以来看水中的太阳倒影，则同样可观赏到日食，也安全可靠，当然正规日食镜是你的首选。
日食过程：
4时32分 初亏，日面与月面“外却”，第一阶段日偏食开始，太阳渐渐被月球遮住
5时50分 食甚，月面中心点与日面中心点最接进，日偏食进行至一半，第二阶段日偏食开始
6时59分 复圆，第二阶段日偏食结束，整个日食成为历史
For those who want to observe the Solar Eclipse, please take precautious steps to protect your eyes.
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