The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) at the University of Sharjah is organizing a virtual observation of the Partial Solar Eclipse on Sunday, June 21st, 2020, using remote video communication technologies. This comes as part of SAASST’s keenness on implementing the precautionary and preventive measures outlined by the relevant authorities in the UAE regarding COVID-19, and to ensure the safety of the community and continuity of delivering scientific knowledge and spreading awareness using remote communication methods.
We who live on planet Earth can see a phenomenon that is not visible from most planets. It happens that the Sun is 400 times larger than the Moon and, on the average, 390 times farther away, so the Sun and Moon have nearly equal angular diameters 0.5 degrees. Thus, the Moon is just the right size to cover the bright disk of the Sun and cause a solar eclipse. If the Moon covers the entire disk of the Sun, we see a total eclipse. If it covers only part of the Sun, we see a partial eclipse.
The Partial Solar Eclipse will be visible from Sharjah starting from 08:15 am until 11:12 am on June 21. The maximum will occur around 09:36 am when the Moon will be covering more than 86% of the Sun’s surface. The whole duration of the partial solar eclipse in Sharjah will be about 2 hrs 57 mn. The observation will be broadcast live on SAASST’s Instagram account (@SAASST.Sharjah).