ISLAMABAD: The second partial solar eclipse of the year was observed in several areas of the country on Tuesday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The solar eclipse — when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow down onto our planet — was visible from most of Europe, Northern Africa, the Middle East and western parts of Asia while it was partially visible in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, the celestial spectacle began at 1:58pm and ended at 6:02pm, with the greatest eclipse being occurred at 4pm.

According to the PMD, the eclipse in Islamabad started at 3:43pm and ended at 5:22pm with coverage of 64.5 per cent. In Lahore, it started at 3:49pm and ended at 5:20pm with the coverage of 60.7pc.

Celestial event lasts four hours starting from 2pm, reaching its peak at 4pm

Karachi witnessed 50pc eclipse from 3:57pm to 5:56pm, Peshawar observed 65.2pc eclipse from 3:41pm to 5:28pm while Quetta witnessed 59.7pc solar eclipse from 3:44pm to 5:51pm.

Meanwhile, students and faculty members gathered at Karachi University’s observatory on Tuesday afternoon to watch breathtaking views of the celestial event — this century’s 16th partial solar eclipse. It last occurred on April 30, adds our staff reporter in Karachi.

The facility made special arrangements to help astronomy enthusiasts watch the eclipse through a specialised digital telescope that can keep record of 65,000 astronomical objects. The event was also live-streamed on Facebook and enlarged images could be seen on the screen inside the observatory.

The world over, the partial solar eclipse began over Iceland as the rare celestial spectacle started to make its way east across a swathe of the Northern Hemisphere.

The natural event began at 8:58am GMT and ended off the coast of India at 1:02pm GMT, crossing parts of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East on its way, according to the IMCCE institute of France’s Paris Observatory.

Experts warned amateur astronomers to not stare directly at the eclipse, which did not darken the sky, and should instead wear protective glasses to avoid eye damage.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s disk, momentarily plunging a portion of the Earth into complete darkness. However, Tuesday’s eclipse was only partial.

Chasing eclipses

Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Northern Ireland’s Queen’s University Belfast, is a self-described “solar eclipse chaser” who has travelled the world to witness the rare celestial events.

Though Tuesday’s eclipse “will be a slight event”, Milligan told AFP earlier that as an eclipse chaser, it will be “exciting to get that buzz back again”.

But even with “the brightest clear skies, you will be none the wiser of what’s going on above your head” unless you have the correct glasses, he added.

It can also be observed by poking a small hole in one piece of paper and letting the sunshine stream through onto another piece. The holes in kitchen colanders or even Ritz crackers can also be used, Milligan added.

Milligan has travelled to countries, including Chile to Turkey, to see a total of 10 eclipses.

This week he booked a camper van for a trip to Western Australia in April next year to see a total eclipse that will last 76 seconds.

He is also heading to Mexico in April 2024 for what he calls “the big one” — a total eclipse that will pass over North America.

Closer to his home in Northern Ireland, a total eclipse will be visible in Spain in 2026.

To find out when eclipses can be seen in different countries, Milligan recommended the website timeanddate.com/eclipse.

“People always talk about the northern lights being on their bucket list,” Milligan said. “But a total solar eclipse is the most spectacular sight in nature.”

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2022