Sky gazers chase longest eclipse, defy soothsayer predictions

• Source: Global Times
• [07:56 July 22 2009]
• Comments

The National Tourism Bureau has urged relevant departments at all levels to guide tourists to choose an appropriate observation site, and to prevent incidents, such as congestion and stampedes, since astronomy enthusiasts from home and abroad flock to watch the rare event.

“As we know, the Yangtze River Basin has the largest population in China. If related parties, such as transportation, security and construction departments failed to fully prepare for the eclipse, accidents can happen easily. What’s more, wireless communication might not go smoothly, due to the eclipse,” Wang said.

Aside from domestic tourists, more than 200,000 overseas tourists entered Shanghai at Pudong International Airport from July 16-18, hitting the highest level this year, according to statistics of the Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection Department in Shanghai.

Wang reminded observers to wear professional observation lenses to protect their eyes, pay attention to traffic safety and avoid crowded observation points when enjoying the eclipse.

Kou Wen, senior engineer at the Beijing Planetarium, suggested that observers bring long-sleeved clothes, as the temperature may drop sharply due to the blocked-out sun.

The path of the total eclipse will stretch across the heart of Asia – from India’s Bay of Cambay to the Pacific Ocean, lasting nearly three-and-a-half hours.

It is believed by many Indians that babies born on an eclipse day will develop birth defects, and CNN reported that some expecting mothers have asked to change the date of induced deliveries.

In ancient China, people thought a heavenly dog swallowed the sun or moon when an eclipse occurred. They believed the event bode misfortune.

Although many people today, especially youngsters, don’t take such superstitions seriously, rumors still circulated recently that the coming solar eclipse might trigger an earthquake as terrible as last year’s in Sichuan.

However, Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, dismissed such doomsday predictions.

“Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they’re looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and calamity,” he told AFP.

Zhang Han and Kang Juan contributed to this story