How to watch the upcoming total solar eclipse across the Pacific
On March 8 and 9, a solar eclipse will dominate the sky over the Pacific Ocean, but unfortunately, not too many people are well placed to see it at its totality.
A total eclipse will be experienced over parts of Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and "a large empty part of the Pacific ocean," Geoff Wyatt, education program producer at the Sydney Observatory, told Mashable Australia in an email. At its greatest, the eclipse will last 4 minutes and 9 seconds.
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North and western Australia and parts of eastern Asia, on the other hand, will see a partial solar eclipse, he added. According to Sky and Telescope, the total eclipse will start in the Indian Ocean and end in the Pacific. Hawaii, Alaska, sections of China, Japan and the Philippines will also be able to spot the partial eclipse.
To work out the exact time to spot the eclipse in your location, try the U.S. Naval Observatory's solar eclipse computer.
A solar eclipse occurs when the sun and Earth align, and the moon passes between them, temporarily blocking the sun. "The curiously timed fact that the Moon is roughly 400 times smaller than the Sun but 400 times closer than the Sun means they have about the same apparent diameter," Wyatt explained. "The Moon can perfectly block the Sun from our view but allow us to see the gorgeous bits [like] the solar corona."
Watch it online
Given few people will be able to see the totality of the eclipse, there are a number of online resources available. Telescope service Slooh will be live streaming the eclipse from an undisclosed location in Indonesia, hosted by astronomer Paul Cox, from March 8, 11 p.m. Universal Time. Panasonic will also live broadcast the event from Ternate Island, Indonesia from Tuesday, March 8, 8 p.m. Universal Time.
Get your glasses
If you're lucky enough to be in Sumatra, Borneo or Sulawesi, or on a plane or a boat on the Pacific Ocean, remember to take care when looking at the solar eclipse. Wyatt warned the phenomena should only be looked at through proper filters or a pinhole projector due to the sun's solar radiation. It can damage the eyes, so try to find some purpose-made solar eclipse glasses. Care should also be taken when looking at a partial solar eclipse.
If you're American, wait till next year
On Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will occur over north America. It will be one of the most significant solar eclipses of all time, Wyatt said, due to the sheer number of people who are likely to see it.
"Sadly there will be numerous chemical eye burns for sure, but there will be possibly millions of people watching it safely and learning about science and particularly astronomy," he added.
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Ariel Bogle was an associate editor with Mashable in Australia covering technology. Previously, Ariel was associate editor at Future Tense in Washington DC, an editorial initiative between Slate and New America.
