Cloud blocks lunar eclipse, thwarts photographers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moon watchers and photographers were mostly
\nfrustrated in their efforts to view the century's last total
\nlunar eclipse yesterday when heavy cloud blocked the sky over
\nmost of the city in the wee hours of the morning.<\/p>\n
Some lucky snappers armed with zoom lenses at the Ancol
\nDreamland complex in North Jakarta got a few shots of the
\neclipse, which was the result of the earth being positioned
\nbetween the sun and the moon.<\/p>\n
One news photographer expressed the frustration of many when
\nhe said: "The annoying cloud turned my multiple-exposure shots
\ninto garbage."<\/p>\n
Dozens of spectators at National Monument Square in Central
\nJakarta only saw part of the total eclipse, which passed Asia
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The total eclipse lasted from 12:09 a.m. to 3:26 a.m. here as
\npredicted by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space
\nAdministration (NASA), the Astronomical Agency of the Bandung
\nInstitute of Technology and the 1997 World Astronomical Calendar.<\/p>\n
According to early estimates, there will not be another total
\neclipse until mid-July 2000.<\/p>\n
As in many other cities and towns nationwide, Moslems in
\nGreater Jakarta performed the Khusuf prayer followed by a sermon
\nat homes, prayer houses or mosques. Khusuf is a special prayer
\nheld only during an eclipse as a way of praising God Almighty and
\nasking for His forgiveness.<\/p>\n
At Istiqlal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Asia, about
\n200 Moslems performed the Khusuf prayer as the eclipse began.<\/p>\n
A staffer at the mosque was quoted by Antara as saying: "The
\nweather was so bad (to actually see the eclipse). But we later
\ndecided to start the prayer a few minutes past 12 a.m., assuming
\nthat the total eclipse had just started."<\/p>\n
The prayer was also performed by Moslems in other cities and
\nvillages around the country, including Sumatra, Java and
\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n
Unlike viewers in Jakarta, moon watchers in the Central
\nKalimantan capital of Palangka Raya completely missed the lunar
\neclipse because of thick haze covering the city's sky.<\/p>\n
At the Lembang Observatory in West Java, however, observers,
\namateur astronomers and reporters were busy recording yesterday's
\neclipse. (bsr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cloud-blocks-lunar-eclipse-thwarts-photographers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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