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Observations by Hong Kong Observatory during partial solar eclipse today

15 January 2010

A partial solar eclipse was visible in Hong Kong from 3.33pm to 6.00pm today (January 15), with the maximum eclipse occurring at 4.54pm. The weather was mainly fine during the eclipse. Although the sun was occasionally blocked by clouds, the eclipse was still visible from many places in Hong Kong. Figure 1 shows the image of the solar eclipse photographed by the Observatory's telescope.

Affected by the solar eclipse and variations in the cloud amount, the ultra-violet index (Figure 2) and solar radiation (Figure 3) fell slightly more rapidly than normal. However, the fall in temperature was not significant.

Figure 1 Image of the solar eclipse photographed by the Observatorys telescope at 4:54pm.
Figure 1 Image of the solar eclipse photographed by the Observatorys telescope at 4:54pm.

Figure 2 The ultra-violet index fell slightly more rapidly than normal during the solar eclipse.
Figure 2 The ultra-violet index fell slightly more rapidly than normal during the solar eclipse.

Figure 3 The global solar radiation recorded at the King's Park meteorological station during the eclipse was about 90 W/m2 lower than that recorded the day before.
Figure 3 The global solar radiation recorded at the King's Park meteorological station during the eclipse was about 90 W/m2 lower than that recorded the day before.