A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Singapore on Wednesday morning, March 9, 2016, whereby nearly 90 percent of the sun will be obscured by the moon.

In a report by Today on Feb. 9, 2016, next month’s eclipse will begin at around 7.22am, 10 minutes after sunrise.

The point of maximum eclipse will be around 8.23am and the eclipse will end at 9.33am.

This timing is according to the Science Centre Singapore.

What happens during a partial solar eclipse is that the moon starts moving over the sun's disc.

The point of maximum eclipse occurs when the moon partially covers the Sun.

For observers in Singapore who are in the eclipse's path, the illusion in the sky will look as if the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun.

The eclipse should also be visible to anyone facing the eastern horizon.

And at the point of maximum eclipse, observers should not expect a sudden drop in the sun’s brightness. The sky should be similar to evening brightness as the sun is being progressively obscured by the moon.

The effect would be as if the morning twilight is lasting longer than usual.

The last solar eclipse visible from Singapore was on May 10, 2013, but it was extremely difficult to view on that day, as it was over shortly after sunrise.

Between the years 1700 and 2100, only 146 solar eclipses have been, or will be visible from Singapore.

The next solar eclipse visible in Singapore will be on Dec 26, 2019, which will be a total solar eclipse.

This is a much rarer phenomenon as there have only been three total solar eclipses from 1700 to 2100.

The last total solar eclipse in Singapore was reportedly on March 4, 1821.

Observers of next month's partial solar eclipse are advised not to watch the event using regular sunglasses, polarised and non-polarised versions, solar film for car and household windows or tinted glass.

Using such filters may give the illusion of protection and will risk injury and delayed effects of damage, as the retina of the eye has no pain receptors.

Observers ought to use a homemade pinhole camera instead.

H/T Today

Top photo via

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.