is just around the corner. It is a sort of eclipse whereby
the moon completely blocks out the sun save for the outer ring of light. In Japan it is
scheduled for the morning hours of May 21st, Eastern Time (detailed
info with huge maps here). Folks, do make an effort and get off your bums, draw
those bedroom curtains and let the sunshine in. The last such event apparently
occurred 173 years ago!
Despite the gloomy weather forecast which predicts massive
clouds, I am readying myself for the event. As you can gather from fig.1, I procured
me the requisite equipment, which consists of a dark plastic (?) eye-patch
supposedly designed to protect the retina. This was no mean feat since Japan
has been in a grip of eclipse-mania for the past week and goggles, or whatever
they are, are exceptionally hard to come by (got mine at a local 7-Eleven of
all places).
The contraption has been tested in my kitchen. It has an
effect of a blindfold except that once you face a direct source of light – say a
60 watt light bulb – you suddenly notice a tiny shimmery dot in the corner of
your eye, like a sole Pole star in the black firmament.
NB: Since the ‘thing’ would not sit on my nose by itself, I
had to improvise with a piece of string. Now I am all set for my first eclipse
ever – and most likely the last.
Fig. 1
