Total solar eclipse: When, where and how to watch the celestial spectacle in India!

Total solar eclipses occur when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, casting the darkest part of its shadow on Earth.

Photo credit: Wikimedia

New Delhi: Space enthusiasts are gearing up for next week's celestial spectacle – a total solar eclipse - occurring on March 8 and March 9 respectively.

Total solar eclipses occur when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, and casts the darkest part of its shadow on Earth.

When and where in India?

The celestial event will be partially visible in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia.

In India, it will happen on March 9. The partial phase of the eclipse will be visible in most places, except in north-west and western parts of the country, as per the Times of India report. The total eclipse will begin at 5.47am (IST) and will continue till 9.08am, although the partial phase will end at 10.05am (IST).

However, start of partial phase of the eclipse will take place just after sunrise from the extreme Northeast India, adds the report.

How to watch it!

Do not look at the eclipsed Sun directly with the naked eye. Because even when 99% of the sun’s surface is obscured by the moon, the unobscured sliver of the sun’s surface can damage cause permanent eye damage, leading to blindness.

View the eclipse using a solar-filtered telescope, eclipse glasses, or a pinhole projector.

The next total eclipse will occur over the US in August 2017.