Clouds, rainshowers threaten to spoil view of eclipse

Clouds and rainshowers threaten to spoil the view of an annular solar eclipse in the Philippines Friday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. But Pagasa forecaster Romeo Cajulis still advised the public to wear protective eyegear - such as goggles and visors - if they want to view Friday afternoon's eclipse. "Siguro hanggang mamayang hapon po ... baka maulap pa rin ito (Cloudy skies will last until the afternoon. It may hamper the view of the eclipse)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Pagasa's 5 a.m. bulletin said a northeast monsoon is affecting the country. "Northern and Central Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered light rains while Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Central and Eastern Visayas," it said. It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northeast and east over Visayas and Mindanao. Longest since 1992 Pagasa said Friday's partial solar eclipse will be the longest eclipse in terms of duration since 1992. It said the eclipse will be observed between 3:45 and 5:58 p.m., depending on one’s location. "(The) annular solar eclipse will occur on 15 January 2010 and will be the longest solar eclipse in duration since 1992. This eclipse will be visible from a track that goes across central Africa, the Indian Ocean and eastern Asia ... The maximum eclipse occurs in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but the annular phase will still be seen from either Africa or Asia," it said in its astronomical diary. In the Philippines, Pagasa said the occurrence will be observed as a partial solar eclipse. A timetable prepared by Pagasa showed the eclipse will be visible in Metro Manila from 3:49 to 5:51 p.m., with the maximum eclipse at 4:53 p.m. The eclipse will also be observed in the following areas: * Calayan, 3:45 to 5:58 p.m., maximum 4:56 p.m. * Laoag, 3:45 to 5:57 p.m., maximum 4:55 p.m. * Tuguegarao, 3:47 to 5:55 p.m., maximum 4:55 p.m. * Baguio, 3:46 to 5:54 p.m., maximum 4:54 p.m. * San Fernando Pampanga, 3:47 to 5:52 p.m., maximum 4:54 p.m. * Puerto Princesa, 3:49 to 5:43 p.m., maximum 4:49 p.m. * Lucena, 3:50 to 5:49 p.m., maximum 4:53 p.m. * Legazpi City, 3:55 to 5:46 p.m., maximum 4:54 p.m. * Iloilo, 3:56 to 5:42 p.m., maximum 4:52 p.m. * Cebu, 3:59 to 5:39 p.m., maximum 4:52 p.m. * Zamboanga, 4:01 to 5:32 p.m., maximum 4:49 p.m. * Jolo, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., maximum 4:47 p.m. * Davao, 4:09 to 5:28 p.m., maximum 4:50 p.m. * General Santos City, 4:11 to 5:25 p.m., maximum 4:49 p.m. - RSJ, GMANews.TV