Even in ancient Sumeria, the priests could predict with a high degree of accuracy the forthcoming eclipses of the Sun and Moon. Scientists warn that the first of two solar eclipses expected in 2012 will occur on May 20. It belongs to the category of annular, i.e. inhabitants of some regions of the Earth will be able to observe the Sun in the form of a closed ring.
The places from which you can observe the solar eclipse on May 20 are located on a strip that begins in the early morning in southern China, passes through Japan and ends in the United States. The period when the eclipse will be completely annular will be only 5 minutes 46 seconds. This phase can only be seen by seafarers in the Pacific Ocean.
On the territory of Russia, the solar eclipse on May 20 can be seen in the morning in many cities, but everywhere only as a partial one. The shadow of the moon will appear on the territory of the country at 10:30 local time from the territory of China off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Its maximum phase can be seen in the area of the Demina and Zeleny Islands, which are part of the Lesser Kuril Ridge. The beginning of the eclipse is expected here at 09:35, its maximum phase can be observed at 10:55, and the eclipse will end at 12:27.
Then the strip, from where it will be possible to observe the eclipse, will pass from the Vladivostok region towards Arkhangelsk. The southwestern border of this strip will pass through Chelyabinsk-Perm-Syktyvkar-Arkhangelsk. In settlements that fall within the boundaries of the eclipse strip, the sun will rise at dawn already in a crescent state, and the shadow of the moon will leave the solar disk a few tens of minutes after sunrise. It will be clearly visible to residents of Nakhodka, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, as well as Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. The moon's shadow on the solar disk will be visible in Russia until 13:31 local time in the Bering Strait region.
This beautiful and disturbing sight is best seen in China and Japan. The Japanese even offer special travel tours for this date. The solar eclipse strip will pass through the southern part of Kii Island from the southern part of the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. She will be clearly visible in the waters of Tokyo Bay from 06:19 to 09:02 am. The duration of a total annular eclipse of the Sun in these areas will be about 5 minutes.
If you decide not to miss this rare sight, take care to protect your eyes from direct sunlight. Despite the fact that part of the solar disk will be covered, it is not recommended to look at the Sun without special glasses in order not to damage the eyes.
