REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government is inviting international tourists to visit the archipelago to witness the total solar eclipse that will take place on March 9, 2016.

"This natural phenomenon is very rare and beautiful, and we will provide tourism packages to attract international and domestic tourists," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Soesilo said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

In the Indonesian region, the total solar eclipse will occur in the morning in some regions, including Palembang (1 minute 52 seconds), Belitung (2' 10"), Balikpapan (1' 9"), Luwuk (2' 50"), Sampit (2' 8"), Palu (2' 4"), Ternate (2' 39"), Bangka (2' 8"), Palangkaraya (2' 29"), Poso (2' 40"), and Halmahera (1' 36").

In addition, a few regions will witness a partial solar eclipse. These include Padang (95.43 percent), Bandung (88.76 percent), Denpasar (76.53 percent), Kupang (65.49 percent), Surabaya (83.08 percent), Banjarmasin (98 percent), Manado (96.66 percent), Jakarta (88.76 percent), Pontianak (92.96 percent), Makassar (88.54 percent), and Ambon (86.90 percent).

"Indonesia witnessed the last total solar eclipse 30 years ago on June 11, 1983, while the next total eclipse will occur after 250 years," Soesilo pointed out.

Moreover, to attract more tourists, the government has established a national committee, involving institutions such as the Ministry of Tourism, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN), the Ministry of Communications and Information, an association of hotels and restaurants PHRI, and PELNI, as well as universities, and travel agents.

"The government hopes that the local administrations of the regions that will experience the total solar eclipse as well as travel agents use the natural phenomenon to attract tourists," the minister remarked.

Furthermore, according to Head of LAPAN Thomas Jamaluddin, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon's apparent diameter is larger than the sun's, blocking all direct sunlight and shrouding the day in darkness.

While a total eclipse occurs in a narrow path across earth's surface, a partial solar eclipse is visible over surrounding regions thousands of kilometers wide.

The total solar eclipse on March 9, 2016, will be visible across a region in the Pacific Ocean, beginning in Indonesia and ending in the northern parts of the ocean.

Also, a scientific study found that a total of 224 lunar eclipses and 224 solar eclipses occurred in the 20th century (1900 to 1999).

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika