Huge crowd at Cheruvathur, first place in India to see solar eclipse

A large crowd gathered at Cheruvathur in north Kerala, the first place in India from where the annular solar eclipse was witnessed on Thursday (December 26).

The second solar eclipse of the century and the last solar spectacle of the year was visible in Kerala between 8.05 to 11 am.

The crowd included hordes of students, scientists, science enthusiasts and mediapersons. Scientists have warned that the eclipse should not be viewed with naked eyes and added that the southern part of the country will be able to witness a greater part of the eclipse.

Also read: Ring of fire lights up Tamil Nadu sky, dazzles spectators

Major temples in Kerala like Sabarimala temple, Shri Padmanabhaswamy temple were closed for four hours in the morning.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth. The eclipse today is an annular eclipse, also called ‘Ring of fire’ eclipse, when the moon covers the Sun leaving the Sun’s outer edges visible like a ‘ring of fire’ or annulus.

Also watch: Be cautious and enjoy the last spectacle of 2019