TEMPO.CO, Bengkulu - An annular solar eclipse will cover the Bengkulu sky at 5:43 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

According to the Head of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Kepahiang – Bengkulu, Litman, the eclipse could be seen in 124 cities and districts in ten provinces in Indonesia. The eclipse will be seen at the longest duration in Mama City, Bengkulu, for 34.1 minutes.

“Not all regions could see this eclipse. For example in Padang, only Mentawai Island could witness the eclipse. Also in Java Island; not all areas can witness this phenomenon,” Litman said Wednesday, August 31.

Litman said the regions including the southern part of West Sumatra, Bengkulu, the southern part of Southeast Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, and western part of East Java, could witness the annular solar eclipse.

The eclipse, which could only be observed during sunset, will cover the Atlantic Ocean, the central part of Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean.

Bengkulu, which is located in the Indian Ocean, will be a strategic area to witness the natural phenomenon which the duration is longer than a total solar eclipse.

“The annular solar eclipse can be observed with the naked eyes, different to the total solar eclipse that could only be seen using an eye protector to avoid infra-violet reflection that could damage the eyes,” Litman added.

PHESI ESTER JULIKAWATI