[ENVIRONMENT ★]
INDONESIA EXPERIENCES TOTAL ECLIPSE
(P1) Millions of people across Indonesia and the Pacific have experienced a total SOLAR ECLIPSE, with parts of the region falling into complete darkness.
(P2) The eclipse began at 06:19 local time on Wednesday, March 9, as the Moon started to pass directly in front of the Sun.
(P3) As the eclipse reached totality, the Moon blocked all direct sunlight, turning day into night.
(P4) In Indonesia’s Belitung province, a crowd gathered on a beach and witnesses spoke of a “magical” experience.
(P5) The eclipse was total in much of Indonesia and the Central Pacific, while other Asian countries and Australia experienced a partial eclipse.
(P6) Astronomers repeated advice not to look directly at the Sun with the NAKED EYE, or through a telescope. Experts recommended using either a professional solar filter in front of a telescope or camera, or special eclipse-viewing glasses.
(P7) From before dawn, about 200 people gathered at Olivier Beach in Belitung province to watch the eclipse. About 30 foreigners were in the crowd, travelling from Australia and Europe for the experience.
(P8) When the solar eclipse started, the crowd cheered and then went silent in AWE. People were taking photos while others just watched in amazement. Then when it finished people clapped quietly.
(P9) People along a 150km-wide strip running through Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi – the path of eclipse totality – experienced the eclipse for about four hours on Wednesday morning.
(P10) In Maba, Maluku Islands, there was darkness for about three minutes – the longest time in Indonesia. Other areas experienced darkness for about two minutes.
(P12) Sky watchers in southern China, south-east Asia, Australia, Hawaii, and Alaska experienced a partial eclipse. This looks as if a PORTION of the Sun has been blacked out.
WORDS: 290
SOURCE: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35756955
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Have you ever seen an eclipse?
- Why did observers describe the eclipse as a magical experience?
- Have you ever traveled a long distance to have a special experience?
- Are you a sun person or a moon person?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Solar eclipse
- Naked eye
