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The
diamond ring effect is pictured during the solar eclipse
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LUANDA,
December 4 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – Countries in the
southern hemisphere witnessed a solar eclipse on Wednesday, December
4.
In
Angola, the sun rose but did not shine Wednesday morning, day of the
second solar eclipse of the millennium in the southern hemisphere, as
the moon crossed in front of the sun shortly after dawn.
“I
thought my watch was broken, because I couldn’t tell what time it
was,” said Yolanda Teresa, a 28-year-old civil servant.
Angola’s
capital, Luanda, only experienced a partial eclipse, with the total
eclipse passing over southern provinces. But at 6:00 am (0500 GMT),
when the sun is normally rising, the city was still dark.
Eclipse
watching didn’t generate much excitement here, because of the early
hour and because last year's total eclipse also crossed over Angola.
Special
viewing glasses, which block out the sun’s harmful rays and protect
the eyes of eclipse-watchers, were neither distributed by the
government nor sold by travel agencies in Luanda.
“Despite
the danger, the precautions taken this year were more lax than last
year in Luanda, because the eclipse arrived so early, around 5:54 am
in Luanda,” the scientific commission said in a report.
In
Australia, some cheered in celebration, others gasped in wonder as
clouds cleared just in time to reveal the total solar eclipse.
Tens
of thousands of amateur sky gazers and professional eclipse chasers
watched as the moon crept across the sun to turn day into night in one
of nature's most astonishing spectacles.
The
total eclipse lasted just 32 seconds, but for the more than 20,000
people who gathered in this remote coastal town despite forecasts that
cloudy skies would likely hide the show, it was well worth the visit.
“Absolutely
fantastic” stammered one man after the rush of photo-taking and just
plain staring was over.
Eclipse-watchers
saw the heart of darkness over South Africa’s Kruger National Park
on Wednesday, but the local Venda people bowed their heads - forbidden
by their god to watch.
Heavy
cloud obscured the spectacle, but for the thousands of visitors to the
world’s largest wildlife park this was a bonus: they were able to
dispense with their special viewing glasses and watch the moon inch
over the sun with the naked eye.
The
Venda believe that their god, N’wali, visits Earth during an
eclipse, and that if they witness it they will be struck by lightning
and burnt to ashes, and many other tribes in Africa see eclipses as
portents of death, famine and pestilence.
Mozambique’s
government declared Wednesday a national holiday to allow people to
watch the eclipse of the sun that will sweep across the southern part
of the country, the Council of Ministers said in a statement Tuesday.
“This
is to allow the nation the opportunity to observe one of the rarest,
most spectacular natural phenomena, the second total eclipse of the
sun of the millennium,” the statement said.
Last
year’s total eclipse also passed over Mozambique, but then the
moon’s shadow swept across central regions.
The
government warned people not to look at the sky with the naked eye
from 5:30 am to noon to prevent eye damage from the sun’s rays.
The
council also asked the media, and especially community radio stations
which are the main source of information in rural areas, to explain
that eclipse is a natural occurrence and not an omen of looming harm.
The
government encouraged people to celebrate the eclipse, but to refrain
from acts of vandalism.
Few
Mozambicans can afford the protective glasses needed to view the
eclipse safely. During the eclipse last year, most Mozambicans stayed
indoors for fear of damaging their eyes.
Total
solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes between the Earth and the
Sun, completely obscuring the solar disk. The eclipse follows a
West-to-East track that lasts several hours until the alignment ends.
Total
eclipses happen about once every 18 months, although at least two
partial or annular eclipses occur somewhere on Earth each year. Most
eclipses occur over the sea or over largely uninhabited areas. The
great total eclipse of August 11 1999 was exceptional because it
traversed such a populous area, from western Europe to India.
Southern
Africa is remarkably lucky: it also enjoyed the last full eclipse, of
June 21 2001. With the exception of a handful of scientists, the next
total solar eclipse may not be seen by anyone - it will take place
over Antarctica, on November 23, 2003. Australia and New Zealand will
see it as a partial eclipse.
In
Islam, Muslims believe that Allah causes eclipses to happen to these
two mighty signs, the sun and the moon, to teach people and show them
that these things are created and are subject to imperfections and
changes just like any other created entities. Thus He shows them His
perfect ability and that He Alone is the Only One Who deserves
Worship.
When
the sun was eclipsed at the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings be upon him), he went out rushing nervously to the mosque,
dragging his cloak behind him, and led the people in prayer.
He
told them that the eclipse was one of the signs of Allah, with which
Allah makes people afraid, and that it may be the cause of punishment
coming upon the people.
He
(the Prophet) commanded them to do that which could prevent the
punishment, so he commanded them to pray when an eclipse happens, and
to make du’aa, seek Allah's Forgiveness, give charity, and do other
righteous deeds so that the punishment would go away and not befall
the people. So the eclipse is a reminder to people to hasten to Allah,
the Creator of the world.
