THE public would be able to view the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century at the parking area of the building of the Land, Survey and Town and Country Planning Department at Berakas this morning.

A total eclipse of the sun is reportedly visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of the Earth, said Head of the Ministry of Development's Astronomy Unit Hj Julaiji Hj Lamat, adding that more than 50 members of the unit and department were expected to be present.

The path of the total eclipse will stretch across the heart of Asia — from India's Bay of Cambay, over the Himalayas and across China and the southern islands of Japan.

"After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean," he said.

Hj Julaiji said that the eclipse will last for a duration of six minutes and 39 seconds, said to be the longest in this century.

According to him, a partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia (Brunei), Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean. Locals were left feeling disappointed as unfavourable weather shunned any chance of witnessing the astronomical phenomenon during the last eclipse in January.

Hazzary Hj Ali Ahmad, the secretary of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam, said that this will be the longest eclipse this century but only for those who experience the total eclipse.

"This year's viewing is not at the usual spot in Yayasan because the Survey Department was organising the viewing," he said, adding that the location is not an issue considering how the eclipse can be seen everywhere in Brunei as long as there is a clear horizon.

He advised the public who are viewing from their homes to use eclipse glasses or by looking at the eclipse's reflection through water. According to the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Service, showers on the coastal areas are expected early today morning but it will likely clear up by the time the eclipse begins. (GDN1)