The solar eclipse has been associated with wonder and mystery for centuries. Ancient Tahitian myths explain eclipses as a copulation of the sun and the moon while Native American stories say it is a result of an argument between our sun and a bear that was walking along the Milky Way.

Even today, in this neon-lit information age, where the visually jaded human eye disregards just about everything, the majestic sight of the fiery ball of the sun disappearing behind the moon remains a sight to be revered. People have struggled long and hard to explain it, through story, song or warning. We continue to possess, to this day, an inherent desire to understand how the puissant sun could be overcome, just like that, from its place in the sky. It is what comes closest to magic in our otherwise humdrum lives.

Annular 101

The annular solar eclipse (also known as a ring-formed eclipse) occurs when only a ring of the sun can still be seen around the edge of the moon. This happens when the moon’s orbit is farther away from the Earth than average, making it appear too small to cover the sun completely. Even though the moon is right in front of the sun, there will still be a ring of visible sun around the edge of the moon. Think Heroes (the NBC series that depicted super heroes losing their abilities due to an eclipse) – the flat, serious text of the title logo, the O that changes into an eclipse and winks at you, pulling you in. So, think Heroes, only better. Think Heroes in real life.

The Annular Eclipse of 2010

The longest lasting annular solar eclipse of this millennium will occur on 15 January 2010. It will also be the longest annular eclipse until the year 3043.

The early morning annulus will appear over the three African nations of the Central African Republic, Uganda and Kenya. The greatest eclipse will occur in the Indian Ocean, just west of the Maldives. Shortly after that, the shadow will bring a little less than eleven minutes of annularity to the islands. It will then move over to southernmost India and across the Bay of Bengal. The shadow will make landfall in Burma and sweep into China before leaving the Earth’s surface.

Why Maldives?

Being at the right place at the right time would give you the chance to witness the brilliant celestial phenomena for as long as ten minutes. Imagine it: just you, the sun, the sky and ten minutes of the realisation of the vastness of the universe, feeling as minute as the grains of sand that your toes are buried in.

The location of the Maldives, just a couple of miles east of the greatest eclipse point, makes it an ideal observation spot for this rare and unusually long eclipse. It will receive over ten minutes and fifty seconds of annularity, more than any other country in the world. It is easily accessible to visitors, and its relative peace makes it the perfect place for you to witness this historic phenomenon.

If you see only one annular eclipse in your life, make this the one. The Maldives will make sure you remember it forever.