Muscat – Thousands of people across Oman on Tuesday witnessed the partial solar eclipse, which was visible in the region from 2.50pm to 4.58pm.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, an official from the Omani Astronomical Society (OAS), said, “The society, in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and relevant authorities, organised mass viewing events of the celestial event, in several places including Al Mouj Muscat and OAS’s headquarters in Muscat governorate.”

According to the official, the phenomenon was observed in different parts of the sultanate with varied degrees of eclipse. Muscat witnessed 36 per cent of the sun getting covered, while 22 per cent was seen eclipsed in Salalah. The sun got 35 per cent eclipsed in Nizwa and 37 per cent in Sohar. It was 41 per cent eclipsed in Musandam, the official informed.

“A solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the sun and the earth and casts its shadow on the earth covering the sun partially or in full during that temporary phenomenon,” the official added.
Hundreds of enthusiasts positioned themselves at strategic locations in different parts of Oman to watch the solar eclipse.

Nasser Salem al Hosni from North Batinah said, “We checked apps and websites to know from where it can be viewed best and the Falaj al Qabail area in the wilayat of Sohar was the best location for us.”

Photographer Majed al Farai told Muscat Daily that he and his friends perched themselves on a hill top in Muscat to observe the phenomenon. “We had positioned our instruments and cameras accordingly. Enthusiasts in Oman had been waiting for this moment. I didn’t want to let go off this opportunity.”

Husam Mohammed, an eighth grade student in Muscat, was quite enthusiastic to see the eclipse occur. “The view was awesome. It is one-of-its-kind. I have read about solar eclipse in books and I am lucky to see it really happening,” he said.

Mohammed al Kindi, a teacher from the wilayat of Nizwa said, “I and my family enjoyed watching the eclipse. I was keen to explain the phenomenon to my children to teach the importance of scientific research in our lives.”