Vitebsk residents will be able to see the largest solar eclipse
On March 20, 2015, residents of Belarus will be able to witness a solar eclipse, which will be the largest since August 1999.
However, the eclipse will be partial over our country. The Sun will be obscured by a maximum of 70%. The rare astronomical phenomenon is expected to last about 2 minutes and 50 seconds and will occur at 13:06.
Residents of several Scandinavian countries, Great Britain, and the northern regions of Russia will be fortunate enough to see a total solar eclipse. The city of Barentsburg will be located in the central part of the path of totality this time, which promises to turn the city into a pilgrimage site for all astronomy enthusiasts on March 20. Tourists have already booked all hotels and hostels there. A total eclipse is expected here at 10:09 Universal Time.
The peculiarity of the upcoming event is that it can be observed even at the North Pole of the planet. In addition, during this total solar eclipse, Earthlings will be able to see Venus with the naked eye. According to scientists, such a phenomenon will not happen again until 2033. Another amazing fact: an eclipse on the day of the spring equinox has occurred only about a dozen times in the entire history of mankind.
This spectacular natural phenomenon can be enjoyed not only from the ground. Nordavia, a Russian airline, for example, is offering its passengers tickets for a special flight with a view of the solar eclipse. Sales will start on March 4. Tickets for the unusual 4-hour flight over the Barents and Norwegian Seas will cost about 10,000 Russian rubles.
The next total solar eclipse will occur on March 9, 2016, but Belarusians will not see it.