Bandung, fmipa.itb.ac.id - The Total Solar Eclipse (TSE) on March 9, 2016, was a natural phenomenon eagerly anticipated by the people of Indonesia because it was the first TSE to cross most of Indonesia in the 21st century. A TSE occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun in such an orbital configuration that, in certain locations on Earth, the Moon appears to cover the entire Sun for a period of time. Totality of the eclipse could be observed in several locations, including Palembang, Bangka, Belitung, Sampit, Palangka Raya, Balikpapan, Palu, Poso, Luwuk, Ternate, Halmahera, and Maba. In Bandung, the TSE on March 9, 2016, appeared as a partial eclipse (88.76% of the Sun's surface would be covered by the Moon's shadow at the peak of the eclipse, around 07:21 WIB). Nonetheless, this does not diminish the public's enthusiasm to enjoy this special moment. In the Bandung area, the Astronomy Study Program, in collaboration with the Astronomy Student Association (HIMASTRON), organized a solar eclipse observation with the community at several locations, including the Bosscha Observatory and the Monumen Perjuangan Dipatiukur.

A joint observation was also held at the Astronomy Study Program, Center of Advanced Sciences (CAS) building, 6th floor, attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) ITB Prof. Dr. Edy Tri Baskoro as well as FMIPA ITB lecturers and students. The observation was conducted using a telescope equipped with a solar filter and eclipse glasses. At the first contact at 06:19 WIB, the Sun could not be seen because it was covered by clouds. Around 06:45 WIB, the solar eclipse began to be clearly visible until the last contact at 08:32 WIB, although towards the end of the eclipse, the Sun was again covered by clouds for a while. (kiki)

Image of an eclipse from a telescope without reduction.