Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi

I had turned down many invitations to visit Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, located in Tanjung Bidara, Masjid Tanah, Melaka before this. However, the impromptu call from the Manager prompted a quick "Yes" and was informed about the partial solar eclipse which would take place approximately at 3pm (1500hours).

Meetings had been arranged to ensure that I have sufficient time to travel there  as well as enjoy the drive along the trunk roads with villages on both sides.

Arriving there, En Baharin, the Manager, was on hand to welcome me and this gentleman had not changed a single bit since I last met him about 2 years ago. He is every bit the humble and low profile individual I had known through the years as we exchange greetings.

As the clock ticks closer out came the viewing equipments and was surprised at how these electronically controlled gadgets had simplified the task of focusing and tracking the sun for viewing the solar eclipse.

The cloudy skies had threatened the viewing party and the intermittent ray of sun light gave us the much needed hope that we would not be dissapointed after placing so much effort. Excitement on everyone's faces filled the air in anticipation of watching the first solar eclipse in 2010 and the longest eclipse of the millennium.

The Maldives is the best spot for viewing the solar eclipse from land. The eclipse can be seen for 10.4 minutes in India.

When the first sight occurs, there were cheers among the crowd and everyone was rushing to train their cameras and mobile camera phones to capture the eclipse.

Sweat starts trickling down everyone due by the heat from the sun but that had not deter from many more public arriving to watch the eclipse which ends at 5:30pm (1730hours).

This visit had renewed my curiosity on astronomy while I had made a promised to my dear friend Baharin, that I shall return for a night viewing with my kids tagging along.