LOCAL residents and at least 87 Japanese astronomy professors, students and tourists witnessed yesterday’s annular solar eclipse aboard Jade Lady III’s sunrise cruise.
The eclipse, which was best seen in only two parts of the world—Tinian and Sulawesi in Indonesia—started at around 7:01 a.m.
The moon covered 98 percent of the sun at 8:12 a.m.
While this was happening, the tourists cheered, clapped their hands, sighed in amazement and even cried for joy.
The moon “left” the sun’s face entirely at around 9:29 a.m.
Several tourists were equipped with high-technology cameras, and some have already seen up to 10 total and annular eclipses in Zambia, Turkey, Venezuela, India and in other countries.
Dr. Haruo Saji, a theoretical physicist and professor of astronomy and art at Japan’s University of Miyagi, said while an annular eclipse is not as important as a total eclipse, “it is more beautiful.”
“It’s very mysterious, nice, spectacular and impressive,” Saji told Variety.
“It’s amazing how they came all the way here just to see the eclipse,” said Reiko H. Osborne, sales and marketing manager of Saipan Sunset Cruise. “It took only about 50 seconds for the moon to cover 98 percent of the sun, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience and we’re glad we’re part of it.”
Keiichi Kawai of Kanagawa, Japan said he has seen seven total eclipses and three annular eclipses.
“I find them very spectacular,” he said.
Takeshi Takahashi, a tour agency staff, said he re-visited Saipan for the second time just to witness the celestial event.
Michael Stiefel, the catamaran’s captain and owner, said this is the first time that an “eclipse cruise” was held here.
“Our position couldn’t be better. It’s absolutely the best place in the water to see it. It’s long-been promoted and organized by Tasi Tours for almost a year now. They did a very good job,” Stiefel said.
Jerry Alcantara of Saipan Sunset Cruise said “not a lot of people get the chance to experience the eclipse on a cruise.”
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes directly between the earth and the sun.
But even when the moon is directly between the earth and the sun, there is a “ring” of sunlight around the moon, hence the term annular eclipse. Annular is the Latin word for ring.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Health said there were no confirmed cases of eye damages resulting from directly looking at the sun during the solar eclipse.
However, Public Health and private clinics continue to track down possible cases that may be reported a few days after the celestial event.
“In other places, people wait longer or a few more days before they report eye problems to the doctors, hoping that the condition would get better. So we are still going to monitor the situation for a few more days,” said Dr. David Hardt of the Seventh Day Adventist Clinic, which also offer ophthalmology services.
Dr. Richard Brostrom, medical director of public health, said there had been no patient rushed to the Commonwealth Health Center due to any eye damage related to the eclipse.
This is mainly attributed to the public awareness campaign by Public Health and private clinics.
Health officials recommended the use of protective eye wear to safely view the sun during the eclipse.
Hardt said the Seventh Day Adventist Clinic and the Marianas Eye Institute were working together in monitoring eye problems in relation to the eclipse.
