“Mesmerizing!” is the only word that comes to my mind for the experience of watching a total solar eclipse. I had seen it in the year of 1995 when it was visible in the pink city of Jaipur. I always like to compare the whole event of the solar eclipse to a thriller movie only that the plot of this thriller takes place outside the earth. As in a thriller, events happen so fast that there is no time for the viewer to think. Additionally, the sequence of events leads to the climax exactly as that of a thriller.
Initially, you observe the changes in your surroundings, the changed behavior of dogs, cattle, and birds. Then, slowly, the shadow of the moon overlaps the Sun’s surface. When the eclipse reaches totality, you see some marvelous celestial beauties; sun’s corona, bailey’s beads, various invisible planets and stars and then the climax! The diamond ring; which according to me is the finest moment in the entire experience.
In the year 2009 – 10, the Indians have the good fortune of witnessing this once in a lifetime experience twice in the same year. First was on 22nd July in the northern part of India and second was today’s morning that is on 15th January in the southern parts. Considering myself an enthusiastic amateur astronomer, I felt I must watch this moment on 22nd July. Surat was the nearest place from Mumbai where the total eclipse was going to occur hence I chose that place and enrolled myself along with my wife with one of the groups in Surat who had made all the arrangements to view this event.
Sometimes in life, we make decisions in haste. At times, these decisions are quite courageous also, contrary to one’s normal behavior. In such cases, many around us would discourage us to take such a path; sometimes even ridicule us. I feel such is the time when one needs to listen to his heart and follow his dream. At the end of it all, one may not even reach his desired goal but the rich experience that one gets out of such exercise is worth for just giving it a try. When I reflect on our Surat experience these thoughts gather in my mind as we couldn’t see the eclipse (for that matter, even the Sun) at all on that day but such was our experience that the vivid pictures of that one and half days trip is still quite fresh in my mind.
I can mention many things which were at odds for us to see the eclipse –
1. Month of July – As it is a month of monsoon, experts were highly skeptical of any possibility for its clear view in India.
2. Eclipse timing – The eclipse was to occur just after sunrise that is at about 6:20 AM so even if it becomes visible it is very near to the horizon so one needed to find a plateau to view it.
3. I was driving such a long distance (more than 600 KM to and fro) for the first time and that too when only both of us were there.
We were little late to start (at about 9:30 AM). As we crossed Mumbai and entered into Thane district it started raining cats and dogs. It was pouring so heavily that many a times I could see nothing in front of eyes in spite of continuous movements of wipers. The conditions were absolutely adverse for driving. I had to drive very cautiously which made our journey to Surat to last for 7 hours instead of normal 5 hours. When we reached our destination (the premises from where we were supposed to view the eclipse) the participants were little nervous due to such cloudy weather as the chances to see the event were becoming slimmer by every passing hour.
The rains poured throughout 21st July and continued its great form in the night also. Still, we were determined to go to our destination to see if we can get any glimpses of it. Large crowd was present, spanning all age groups. Apart from the local Surat crowd, people all around the country have gathered there. Many Chinese and Japanese students and their teachers were also visible. By the time it clocked 6:20 in the morning, we were pretty sure that we will not be able to see anything. The rains had stopped leaving behind huge dark clouds in the sky. Some kind of disappointment started creeping into the minds to the gathered crowd. Everyone started to feel that the entire episode would lead into an anticlimax. But then Mother Nature has her own ways to surprise the human being which no one can ever predict! That’s what happened. Exactly at 6:23 AM (the starting time of totality), the surrounding became pitch dark all of a sudden. Literally, nothing was visible in the surrounding. This built huge excitement within the crowd; people started shouting, howling, exclaiming and what not! The period of darkness remained for next four minutes. The way the total darkness came all of a sudden, it went away equally quickly and the cloudy morning light filled the surrounding. People thanked the beloved nature with huge round of applause.
Initially, you observe the changes in your surroundings, the changed behavior of dogs, cattle, and birds. Then, slowly, the shadow of the moon overlaps the Sun’s surface. When the eclipse reaches totality, you see some marvelous celestial beauties; sun’s corona, bailey’s beads, various invisible planets and stars and then the climax! The diamond ring; which according to me is the finest moment in the entire experience.
In the year 2009 – 10, the Indians have the good fortune of witnessing this once in a lifetime experience twice in the same year. First was on 22nd July in the northern part of India and second was today’s morning that is on 15th January in the southern parts. Considering myself an enthusiastic amateur astronomer, I felt I must watch this moment on 22nd July. Surat was the nearest place from Mumbai where the total eclipse was going to occur hence I chose that place and enrolled myself along with my wife with one of the groups in Surat who had made all the arrangements to view this event.
Sometimes in life, we make decisions in haste. At times, these decisions are quite courageous also, contrary to one’s normal behavior. In such cases, many around us would discourage us to take such a path; sometimes even ridicule us. I feel such is the time when one needs to listen to his heart and follow his dream. At the end of it all, one may not even reach his desired goal but the rich experience that one gets out of such exercise is worth for just giving it a try. When I reflect on our Surat experience these thoughts gather in my mind as we couldn’t see the eclipse (for that matter, even the Sun) at all on that day but such was our experience that the vivid pictures of that one and half days trip is still quite fresh in my mind.
I can mention many things which were at odds for us to see the eclipse –
1. Month of July – As it is a month of monsoon, experts were highly skeptical of any possibility for its clear view in India.
2. Eclipse timing – The eclipse was to occur just after sunrise that is at about 6:20 AM so even if it becomes visible it is very near to the horizon so one needed to find a plateau to view it.
3. I was driving such a long distance (more than 600 KM to and fro) for the first time and that too when only both of us were there.
We were little late to start (at about 9:30 AM). As we crossed Mumbai and entered into Thane district it started raining cats and dogs. It was pouring so heavily that many a times I could see nothing in front of eyes in spite of continuous movements of wipers. The conditions were absolutely adverse for driving. I had to drive very cautiously which made our journey to Surat to last for 7 hours instead of normal 5 hours. When we reached our destination (the premises from where we were supposed to view the eclipse) the participants were little nervous due to such cloudy weather as the chances to see the event were becoming slimmer by every passing hour.
The rains poured throughout 21st July and continued its great form in the night also. Still, we were determined to go to our destination to see if we can get any glimpses of it. Large crowd was present, spanning all age groups. Apart from the local Surat crowd, people all around the country have gathered there. Many Chinese and Japanese students and their teachers were also visible. By the time it clocked 6:20 in the morning, we were pretty sure that we will not be able to see anything. The rains had stopped leaving behind huge dark clouds in the sky. Some kind of disappointment started creeping into the minds to the gathered crowd. Everyone started to feel that the entire episode would lead into an anticlimax. But then Mother Nature has her own ways to surprise the human being which no one can ever predict! That’s what happened. Exactly at 6:23 AM (the starting time of totality), the surrounding became pitch dark all of a sudden. Literally, nothing was visible in the surrounding. This built huge excitement within the crowd; people started shouting, howling, exclaiming and what not! The period of darkness remained for next four minutes. The way the total darkness came all of a sudden, it went away equally quickly and the cloudy morning light filled the surrounding. People thanked the beloved nature with huge round of applause.
The gloomy faces of the crowd which were clearly visible before this sudden event of 4 minutes now were flowing with joy and satisfaction. Even though no one could watch the eclipse the nature had at least ensured that everyone would be able to get the sense of it, that everyone would be able to get the feel of it.
With this satisfaction in mind, we took the leave of that place to drive towards Mumbai. It was a hectic but equally exciting journey. To sum it up, we could not reach towards our goal of watching the total solar eclipse but the whole experience of just attempting to see it was highly enriching. Sometimes, the “means” are so much important in life than the “ends”, isn’t it?
With this satisfaction in mind, we took the leave of that place to drive towards Mumbai. It was a hectic but equally exciting journey. To sum it up, we could not reach towards our goal of watching the total solar eclipse but the whole experience of just attempting to see it was highly enriching. Sometimes, the “means” are so much important in life than the “ends”, isn’t it?
Next: Unlocking the mysticism behind the ever alluring Lonar Crater
Hey Amtu, Real nice blog...
ReplyDeleteRead all ur blogs today, and I must say..u write really well..I actually felt like m reading some genius guy's writing:)
keep blogging...
Thanks Maitreyi, Good that somebody is reading my blog and then liking it too :)
ReplyDelete