DIVINE VOICE: Thanks for photos : Volcano ash turns Asian eclipse blood red 17&18&19

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Thanks for photos : Volcano ash turns Asian eclipse blood red 17&18&19

Residents look at the moon during a partial lunar eclipse under the Roman pillars of the Temple of Hercules in Amman June 15, 2011. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT)

A partial lunar eclipse is seen over the village of Zejtun, lit up for its parish church feast of Saint Catherine, in the south of Malta June 15, 2011. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi (MALTA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT RELIGION CITYSCAPE) MALTA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN MALTA

The moon is seen behind the wall of Damascus gate in Jerusalem Old City during a total lunar eclipse June 15, 2011. The image projected onto the wall is part of the Jerusalem Festival of Lights. REUTERS/Nir Elias (JERUSALEM - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT)

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In Japan, "eclipse tours" were arranged at schools and parks, on pleasure boats and even private airplanes. Similar events were held in China and Taiwan as well, with skywatchers warned to protect their eyes.

The eclipse was broadcast live on TV in Tokyo, where such an eclipse hasn't been visible since 1839. Japanese TV crews watched from the top of Mount Fuji and even staked out a zoo south of Tokyo to capture the reaction of the chimpanzees — who didn't seem to notice.

A light rain fell on Tokyo as the eclipse began, but the clouds thinned as it reached its peak, providing near perfect conditions.

"It was a very mysterious sight," said Kaori Sasaki, who joined a crowd in downtown Tokyo to watch event. "I've never seen anything like it."

At the Taipei Astronomical Museum in Taiwan, the spectacle emerged from dark clouds for only about 30 seconds. But the view was nearly perfect against Manila's orange skies.

"It's amazing. We do this for the awe (and) it has not disappointed. I am awed, literally floored," said astronomical hobbyist Garry Andreassen, whose long camera lenses were lined up with those of about 10 other gazers in a downtown Manila park.

Hong Kong skywatchers weren't so lucky.

Several hundred people gathered along the Kowloon waterfront on Hong Kong's famed Victoria Harbor, most of them students or commuters on their way to work. The eclipse was already underway as the sun began to rise, but heavy clouds obstructed the view.

The eclipse will follow a narrow 13,700-kilometer (8,500-mile) path for 3 1/2 hours. The ring phenomenon will last about five minutes, depending on location. People outside the narrow band for prime viewing will see a partial eclipse.

"Ring of Fire" eclipses are not as dramatic as a total eclipse, when the disk of the sun is entirely blocked by the moon. The moon is too far from Earth and appears too small in the sky to blot out the sun completely.

Doctors and education officials have warned of eye injuries from improper viewing. Before the event started, Japan's Education Minister Hirofumi Hirano demonstrated how to use eclipse glasses in a televised news conference.

Police also cautioned against traffic accidents — warning drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

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Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Wally Santana in Taipei, Hrvoje Hranjski in Manila and Kelvin Chan in Hong Kong contributed to this report.