BANGALORE, JULY 26: On August 11, the world is slated to witness the last, total solar eclipse of the millennium. And is all goes well, Bangalore will be among the few privileged cities in India to get a near-total view of the exciting event.For the city, this unique privilege comes after over 700 years. The last time Bangaloreans witnessed a total solar eclipse was on July 15, 1293. The next total eclipse worldwide is only due on July 5, 2168. So make the most of it, is what scientists are telling Bangaloreans.On August 11, as much as 82 per cent of the eclipse will be visible here from 5.15 pm until sunset, according to scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) here. That means a good 45 minutes' of viewing time at the very least.Though Bangalore does not fall directly in the path of the total solar eclipse phase in India, astrophysicists say, it will witness a substantial extent of the eclipse. During the eclipse, the Sun will wear the moon's crescent crown, and will slowly set withit. The cluster around the Corona, known as Bailey's beads, the Corona itself, and the Diamond Ring will be seen in all its glory.The only catch is the city's notoriously whimsical cloud formations. For, that could obscure the grand treat in store and spoil things for everyone. Prof Rajesh Kocchar of the IIA expressed these fears when he told this newspaper that since the south-west monsoon would be at its peak during the time of the eclipse, there was every possibility that the skies might be cloudy.But in the event that one does get to see the eclipse, there are the usual dos and donts. For one, it is imperative to protect the eyes. Kocchar explains why. ``During an eclipse, the glare of the Sun reduces, but not the intensity of the light. While the eye can stare at the Sun because of the reduced glare, the light damages the retina,'' he said. The eclipse should thus be viewed through sunglasses, sun filters and solar goggles.Though it is okay to watch an eclipse for a full five minutes at astretch, it is advisable to take a break every 30 seconds. The last total eclipse seen over Karnataka - on 16 February 1980 - was only partially visible in Bangalore, but superstition kept most people indoors.The path of the total eclipse phase in India will extend from the west and the central plains, over Kutch, northern parts of Bhuj, Little Rann of Kutch, Maliya, Surendranagar and Vadodara in Gujarat, before crossing over to south-west Madhya Pradesh over Burhanpur and Jagdalpur, and then over Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Akola, Yeotmal, Chandrapur in Maharashtra, Koraput in Orissa and over Parvatipuram, Salur, Palkonda, Srikkulam in Andhra Pradesh.People living in these places will get a grand stand view of the total eclipse - and will be plunged into darkness for anywhere between 30 seconds to 67 seconds.Eye on the sun The traditional way of viewing an eclipse is to watch the sun's images on a white background using a small camera, a telescope, or by pasting a piece of paper - with a roundhole punched in the centre - on a mirror and holding it to the sunlight. Aluminum-coated and laminated Mylar sheets are also safe. An eclipse can safely viewed through two layers of exposed and developed X-ray films or even welders' glasses. Solar goggles are also easily available now and that is the best bet.
