Total Solar Eclipse Seen in Hangzhou

By Yu Hancan

July 22, 2009 was a big day in the history of Hangzhou. On that day, the people in Hangzhou watched the whole event of the total solar eclipse. It is said that such an astronomical phenomenon occurs in Hangzhou every 500 years.

On July 19, three days before the eclipse, hundreds of enthusiasts in Hangzhou organized themselves into teams and trooped to Tianhuangping, Anji County in northern part of Zhejiang Province. That place was said to be the vantage spot to watch the eclipse because of the high air purity with a negligible percentage of suspended particles.

However, Tianhuangping was not the only ideal spot. In downtown Hangzhou, the astronomical observatory at Hangzhou Senior High School was well equipped to provide a satisfying sky-watching experience. There were observation spots on the West Lake, too. Incomplete data shows that about 3,000 enthusiasts would point their professional cameras to the sky, ready to capture the once-in-every-500-year historical moment. No one would know exactly how many amateurs took photographs that day.

On the morning when the solar eclipse was about to take place, the sky looked a little bit unusual. It was darkish. The sun was embraced by floating clouds now and then.

People gathered on the West Lake. Crowds gathered on the Gem Stone Hill, the Bai Causeway and the Su Causeway and the lawns on the Solitary Hill. Many pleasure boats were out on the lake. The sky watchers got out their goggles and cameras and looked up.

The sky-watching crowds consisted of more than local residents. Many were from outside the province. Some were even from foreign countries. They held their breath and watched the black shadow of the Moon gradually find its inroad into the Sun.

As the Sun was totally eclipsed, the city was thrown into a grayish darkness. Lights on the West Lake were switched on. The lake with blooming lotus was serene. The total eclipse lasted a few minutes.The awe-inspiring spectacle took peoples breath away. Then the Sun burst out from behind the moon. The second it burst out, the sun showed a small golden dazzling pearl on the edge of the moon. People cheered. Probably every one of those who saw the spectacle would remember the moment forever.