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Thousands turn out to view solar eclipse
By Hu Meidong, Zhu Xingxin and Ding Xueping (China Daily Fujian Bureau)
Updated: 2009-07-23 18:26

On the morning of July 22, 2009, the public square outside the Fujian Science and Technology Center was buzzing with citizens eager to witness the longest solar eclipse in 500 years.

"This really is a rare opportunity. I can learn a lot about astronomy [here]" said Guan Zhifan, a student from Fuzhou Eighth High School, standing in a long line waiting to view the spectacular phenomena through an astronomical telescope.

The eclipse began at about 8:19 a.m. and reached its greatest magnitude at 9:35 a.m., with 90% of the sun blocked, bringing the whole crowd to a climax. People used various observation tools including protective goggles, X-ray images and photographic film. Although Fuzhou was not among the cities which would experience a total eclipse, its citizens were still enthusiastic about the event.

A 65-year-old woman surnamed Huang seemed excited about the eclipse. "It is unusual, so I brought my grandson here," she told China Daily with a smile on her face.

Two special temporary volunteers, 11-year-old Lin Diankang and Feng Qixiang from Xifeng Primary School, were busy picking up litter left behind by observers. Although sweating under the strong sunshine, they did feel tired at all because, "we are serving society," they said.

According to You Yi, secretary-general of the Fujian Astronomy Society, solar eclipses have actually occurred three times since 2000 in Fuzhou, but Fuzhou citizens were unable to see them because of bad weather. But this time, the city had all the required conditions for people to view the eclipse.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is caught between the sun and the earth while each moves along their fixed orbits. In a total solar eclipse, the sun, the moon and the earth are directly aligned as the sun swings into a cone of shadow cast by the moon.

The next solar eclipse visible in China will fall on September 2, 2035.