The UB Post-Leading English News

Solar Eclipse Attracts International Interest

Written by Administrator
Thursday, June 12, 2008.
By S.Oyundelger Interest in this yearÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s rare total solar eclipse is high, although the tourism industry remains cautious about whether it will dramatically boost numbers. The eclipse, which will black out skies in western Mongolia for several minutes on August 1, has led many tour companies to provide packages for tourists. Director of the Tourism Department of MRTT, E.Battulga, said that the rare spectacle has gained the interest of foreigners particularly. Ã¢â‚¬Å“We are expecting the number of tourists coming to Mongolia will increase this summer to see solar eclipse 2008. Ã¢â‚¬Å“Many Mongolian tour companies are providing tourists with tour packages including this rare event,Ã¢â‚¬Â he said. Some tourism operators have expressed caution at the optimism, however, following an eclipse in 1997 that failed to deliver the expected number of tourists. They have warned that tourists often find the expense and distance required to see the skies darken as a barrier. In this yearÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s case, the eclipse will be clearest from MongoliaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s most remote aimags, Bayan-Olgii and Khovd. A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely obscuring the sun. It will only be visible from a narrow corridor through northern Canada, the northern part of Russia, western Mongolia and China Ã¢â‚¬â€œ all areas that experience the so-called midnight sun, when the sun remains visible at night. Tour companies also intend to promote the traditional legends associated with the phenomena. Lecturer of Mongolian National University Dr Dulam explained this phenomenon according to an ancient Indian legend. Ã¢â‚¬Å“Once upon a time Rahu (enemy of sky) stole immortal water and absconded away. Indra god chased him and as he passed the sun and moon he asked, Ã¢â‚¬ËœWhere did Rahu go?Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Ã¢â‚¬Å“They told him where he went. Indra caught him and shot him. RahuÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s body then divided into two parts. Ã¢â‚¬Å“Since then, Rahu has sought revenge against the sun and moon and swallows them once a while. Ã¢â‚¬Å“However, because he has been split into two, the son and moon quickly escape.Ã¢â‚¬Â Dr Dulam also mentioned an old Mongolians saying that Ã¢â‚¬Å“If you pray with Lama Mani during a sun eclipse, the blessings will be multiplied by a billion. Ã¢â‚¬Å“In order to rid Rahu, Mongolians have some rituals to do during an eclipse: to make their dog bark (specially a four-eyed banhar), to make any three year old child cry, to fire a gun, and to make noise using kitchenware,Ã¢â‚¬Â Dr Dulam said. The next total solar eclipse will occur on July 22, 2009. It will be visible from a narrow corridor through northern India, eastern Nepal, Bhutan and central China.