The total solar eclipse of July 22nd, 2009 is already a much spoken topic. There has been wide spread viewings though in some parts of India, it was not visible due to cloudy situations. Anyhow, Pondicherry Science Forum had a spectacular event organized in collaboration with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Puducherry.
PSF conducted an awareness programme on 21st of July 2009 at the Beach road for early morning walkers on the beach road. Hundreds of people listened to our activists who spoke about the importance of the programme which is the last total solar eclipse of this century. They were told that PSF would be arranging a multimedia presentation on the beach on 21st July evening and also arrange a mass eclipse viewing programme on 22nd July 2009 from 5.30 am onwards untill the eclipse is completed in Puducherry at 7.17 am.
The evening programme was attended hundreds of the public and a multimedia presentation was given by Ms.A.Hemavathi, Vice President of Pondicherry Science Forum. Reports on this can be seen at http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/22/stories/2009072254080300.htm.
The next day was a great programme. From 5.30 am onwards, people started pouring to the beach due to the huge publicity given by the local press and TV channels to the programme. Two telescopes were arranged for getting an image of the eclipsed sun to a screen as direct viewing of the Sun would damage the eyes. Goggles were also supplied free of charge by the Dept. of S&T and Environment for safe viewing of the eclipse. The young and old - all watched the 66% eclipsed Sun with great curiosity. In a place like India, where there are numerous superstitions related to eclipses, this was a great success.
A report about this programme as appeared in the National daily "the Hindu" is given here. http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/23/stories/2009072353140300.htm
Raghu
for Pondicherry Science Forum.
http://www.psfcerd.org
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