The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) or NARIT under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) has recently disseminated images of the "total solar eclipse" that occurred on April 20, 2023, in Com, Timor-Leste. The release of these images allows observers to witness several significant phenomena, including Bailey's beads, the diamond ring effect, the corona layer, Earthshine, and solar flare.

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Dr Saran Poshyachinda, the Executive Director of NARIT, spearheaded the investigation into this celestial event. The team established observation points in close proximity to a primary school in Com, Timor-Leste, where the total eclipse was visible, and captured images that were subsequently shared with the Thai public. Moreover, His Excellency Ekapol Poolpipat, the Thai Ambassador of Timor-Leste, accompanied them in their observation.

 

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The clarity of the sky during a total solar eclipse provides a comprehensive view of the phenomenon from initiation to termination, including the occurrence of Bailey's beads, the diamond ring effect, the corona layer, Earthshine, and the solar flare. Other concomitant events, such as shadow bands and the crescent shadow, can also be observed before and after the total eclipse. During the brief period of the moon's total coverage of the sun, lasting one minute and fifteen seconds, the sky becomes dark enough to allow the bright shining of Jupiter and Venus.

 

 

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The April 20, 2023 solar eclipse was a hybrid eclipse, which is a combination of an annular and a total eclipse, and was the 52nd of 80 sets of the Saros cycle 129. The path of totality traversed from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, crossing over various land masses and water bodies, such as Australia, parts of eastern Timor, and Indonesia (Papua New Guinea and West Papua). The eclipse occurred from 09:42 to 12:52 (Thailand time).

 

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The subsequent total solar eclipse is expected to take place on April 8, 2024, traversing North America, Mexico, the United States, and Canada. However, it will not be visible from Thailand. Thailand's next observable solar eclipse is anticipated to be a partial eclipse on August 2, 2027.

 

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