The solar eclipse that took place on 26 December 2019 has brought excitement to people all over Thailand. Locals have gathered together in each province to witness the eclipse that is a sign of good luck, some believe that this is an excellent sign to a great 2020 full of good luck and prosperity.
Locals in Phang Nga saw the solar eclipse right after they had just joined in remembering the 15th-anniversary Tsunami that took away over 230,000 lives. Suddenly the sky started to turn dark in the middle of the day but there were no clouds. Some tried to capture it in a video and saw that the sun had a dark shadow in the corner which is the moon. The moon slowly moves to the left which created an upside-down heart shape before the sky lit up again.
Crowds gather to witness the solar eclipse at the Princess Sirindhorn Astropark in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai. Adults and students stood together and watched the eclipse using safe equipment provided by the Astro park such as handheld solar filters. Viewing the eclipse with just your eyes may seem easy but it could damage your eyes permanently. The solar eclipse went live on www.NARIT.or.th from the Thai National Radio Astronomy Observatory: TNRO.
Over 500 locals in Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima Province gathered at the Suranaree University of Technology where officials prepared safe eclipse viewing equipment. There was also a pinhole viewer made from bamboo that is used for 2 purposes, to safely view the eclipse and to knock on the bamboo. The sound is believed to drive evil spirits and bad luck away. The solar eclipse started at 10.19 and ended at 13.57, this is a partial solar eclipse and at 12.11 the moon blocked 52.48% of the sun.
Local farmers in Lat Lum Kaeo, Pathum Thani Province sat and watched the solar eclipse at 11.00 along with beating cans and hitting the trees. It is a custom to run around beating trees while a solar eclipse is happening, this will bring good luck and make the trees produce a lot of fruit. Knocking on your wallet a few times will also help bring you good fortune. This solar eclipse took place just before new years, locals believe that this is a good sign to a great 2020.
FB Caption: Locals have gathered together in each province to witness the eclipse, an excellent sign to a great 2020 full of good luck and prosperity.
Source: INN News