An annular solar eclipse will occur on Friday, January 15, and will be the longest solar eclipse in duration since 1992, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration announced last Sunday. The solar eclipse will start at 3:49 pm. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 4:53 pm and end at 5:51 pm.

Metro Manila will see 39.1 percent of the sun’s diameter covered by the moon, PAGASA said. In Metro Manila, the eclipse will begin at 3:49 p.m. and end at 5:51 p.m. with the maximum eclipse occurring at 4:53 p.m. In Cebu, it will begin at 3:59 p.m., and end at 5:39 p.m. with the maximum eclipse at 4:52 p.m. In Davao, it will begin at 4:09 p.m., and end at 5:28 p.m. with the maximum eclipse at 4:50 p.m.

PAGASA also said that since the earth is at its perihelion stage – the point in its orbit at which it is nearest the sun – this means that the sun will appear as a large ball.

Meanwhile, PAGASA warns people who would be viewing the solar eclipse tomorrow directly. Looking at the sun directly, though its only a partial solar eclipse may still cause damages to the eye.

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