1,000 OBSERVE PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE AT NATIONAL PLANETARIUM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- About 1,000 visitors flocked the National
Planetarium to observe a partial solar eclipse from 3pm to 6pm Friday.

National Space Agency (ANGKASA) research officer Lau Chen Chen said the
Planetarium provided several ultraviolet telescopes and eclipse glasses to allow
the public to witness the phenomenon.

"The phenomenon will be experienced again here in March 2016. With our
technological progress, members of the public are able to see the sunspots much
clearer," he told Bernama here Friday.

A visitor from New Zealand, Simran Grewal, 18, said this was the first time
he could view the partial solar eclipse better.

"I obtained a lot of experience and knowledge today although this is my
first time. It's really great," he said.

Meanwhile, student Mohd Alifitri Ahmad said his love for science drove him
to visit the planetarium after school.

"I have studied about and heard of solar eclipses, but since it rarely
occurs I rushed here to see for myself how the moon moved to shelter the sun,"
he said.

In Malaysia, the partial solar eclipse reached about 40 per cent darkness in
the north of Peninsular Malaysia this evening.

Besides the National Planetarium, ANGKASA also organised a partial solar
eclipse observation programme at the Pekan Rabu Complex in northern island
resort of Langkawi.

Those who were unable to view the rare sighting can do so by visiting
ANGKASA's official website at www.angkasa.gov.my.

Meanwhile, the National Mosque saw about 1,000 members of the public carry
out a mass solar eclipse prayer which started at 3.45pm, led by the mosque's
Grand Imam Syaikh Ismail Muhammad.
-- BERNAMA