There’s been a lot happening today, in our little corner of the world. People around the world have been eagerly awaiting the total eclipse of the sun - one of the most dramatic of celestial events; yet it can be very difficult and potentially dangerous to observe. An eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned allowing the Moon to cross the Sun’s disc. Here in New Zealand we could only see a partial eclipse, as the eclipse path falls 1200 km north of New Zealand. The sky definitely stared to darken as the morning wore on, but we didn’t dare take a peek. Without proper eye glasses and dire warnings of becoming blind if we dared to look at the sun, we will wait to view this exciting event on the TV news tonight.
Over the Wellington region the maximum eclipse was at 10:34 am when the Moon covered about 76% of the Sun, the eclipse ended at 11:47 am when the Moon moved off the Sun’s disc.
Info and diagram courtesy of Carter Observatory
And for royal watchers everywhere, it’s Prince Charles 64th birthday today and he is having a very special birthday bash at Government House, in Wellington. Sixty four other people who share the same birthday were invited with their spouses, to share this very special day too. The Prince and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are here for six days as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The royal couple was welcomed to the capital at Government House with a warrior challenge; a karanga or call of welcome; and a haka or ceremonial dance.
Prince Charles officially opened a new visitor centre at Government House - New Zealand's Diamond Jubilee gift to the Queen. "I couldn't think of a better, happier place to spend my birthday than here with all of you in New Zealand, and we've been so touched by the welcome we've been given here, and of course in Auckland, and by all the kind New Zealanders who have shown us such warmth and friendliness." The birthday party was hosted by the Governor General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae, whose birthday it is also.
Prince Charles and Camilla with Sir Jerry Mateparae and wife Janine cut into one of 64 kiwiana-themed cakes created for his 64th birthday.
Photo courtesy of “The Dominion Post”
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