REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini mingled with thousands of residents along the city's Kenjeran coast to witness the solar eclipse on Wednesday morning.
Wearing special sunglasses to watch the eclipse, Risma, who was inaugurated for her second term on February 17, was seen joining a crowd of residents who had flocked to the coast to watch the eclipse.
From a scientific standpoint, people can learn a lot from this rare natural phenomenon, said Risma who was accompanied by members of the Astronomy Club and the Association of Astronomy Students in Surabaya.
She said she was pleased to witness the solar eclipse. "We hope we can learn from watching this rare natural phenomenon," she said.
She believed the eclipse concealed something that people can learn from, including its impact on mankind and the planet. "Surely, all experts are investigating what is the impact of the solar eclipse on life on this planet," she said.
The solar eclipse this time did not turn the day as dark as had happened during the previous solar eclipse, she said.
She said she witnessed a solar eclipse for the first time when she was studying at a university. "At that time, I took part in a community service (KKN) program in villages. Many residents were afraid of witnessing the eclipse, so they had chosen to stay indoors," she said.