German astronomers to view eclipse in Uganda

By Raymond Baguma and Solomon Oleny

A team of 40 German astronomers, tourists and “eclipse hunters” are set to come to Uganda to watch the rare hybrid solar eclipse in the country next month.

Addressing journalists at the Media Centre on Wednesday, Edwin Muzahura, the head of marketing and public relations officer for the Uganda Tourism Board, confirmed the group of German tourists.

A German website www.eclipse-reisen.de, selling its group tour packages about Uganda, says tourists to Uganda will enjoy added sightseeing of a variety of fascinating wildlife like elephants, hippos, rhinos, lions, antelopes, giraffes and chimpanzees.

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Rehabilitation of the road leading to the venue.PHOTO: Solomon Oleny

Among the tourists will be Daniel Fischer, an astronomy journalist and astronomer with a particular focus on solar eclipses. Fischer is described online thus: “Since 1983, he has travelled to total, but also to 9 annular eclipses on five continents 16 times, including Africa.”

He is one of the most experienced “eclipse hunters” in Germany.”

Pakwach, in Nebbi district, has been identified as the best place to spot the eclipse alongside other towns like Arua, Soroti, Gulu and Masindi.

Of all solar eclipses, about 28% are total; 35% are partial; 32% annular and just 5% are hybrids.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth.

The alignment can produce a total solar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse or hybrid eclipse.

The last solar eclipse was an annular eclipse on May 9.

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Omach educating the locals in Pakwach on the benefits that come with the solar eclipse.PHOTO: Solomon Oleny

The next solar eclipse will be a hybrid eclipse on November 3. It will be visible from North America, southern Europe and Africa.

A total eclipse occurs when the dark silhouette of the moon completely obscures the intensely bright light of the sun, allowing the much fainter solar corona to be visible.

During the maximum phase of the eclipse, the sun’s disk is completely blocked. The sun’s faint corona is then safely revealed to the naked eye.