Davao City Experiences Cooler Weather As Partial Solar Eclipse Occurs

The day took a respite from the usual high temperature from 32° on a gloomy but warm Wednesday morning when Davao City experienced a partial solar eclipse from 7:41 am to 10:22 am.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)-11 chief meteorologist Gerry Pedrico said the partial solar eclipse in Davao caused the lower temperature starting at 7:41 am with 27-28 degrees; 27-27 degrees at 9:00 am and 28 degrees at 10:00 am.

The gloomy atmosphere provided relief to high temperatures experienced by Davaoeños the past days as the country is into the summer season, although not yet declared officially by PAGASA.

“It is gloomy because the sun is partially covered by the moon,” Pedrico said in an interview. He said that an eclipse normally occurs as the regular cycle of Earth, Sun and the Moon and it is not only now that it happened in Davao.

A solar eclipse results when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over the Earth. It is only possible during the new moon phase, when the dark side of the moon faces the Earth.

Pedrico said the total solar eclipse swept Indonesia although it is also visible in other countries.

A total solar eclipse in Indonesia from Sumatra Island in the west to the Spice Islands in the east was reportedly witnessed by about 10,000 foreign tourists and scientists in addition to some 100,000 local tourists.

Reports said the eclipse was visible across 12 of the country’s 34 provinces from about 6:20 a.m.

Indonesia is the only country to experience this year’s total solar eclipse. The northern part of Australia and some areas of Southeast Asia were able to view a partial solar eclipse. (PNA) LAP/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/LDP