Some Singastro members from Singapore Science Centre is intended to organize an trip to Xinjiang, China, to observe the total solar eclipse in August 1st, 2008.
This total solar eclipse is not an perfect one compared to the one in July, 2009 considering the relatively short totality, around 2 minutes. However, for this eclipse, the chance of getting clear sky at the observing site at that season is quite high, higher than 70%, while the 2009 one the clear sky chance is smaller than 50% all along the totality path. Besides, Xinjiang is also a nice tourist resort, having beautiful grasslands, snow mountains, desserts etc.
Here is the totality path for this eclipse, the different colors on the map represent average cloud cover percentage. Yellow indicates low cloud cover.
As there is no direct flights to the observing site, our plan is first fly to Hong Kong to join the Hong Kong observing team, then follow them to the observing site. The Hong Kong team is organized by Hong Kong Astronomy Institution, and consist of 40 - 80 people.
Now we cannot confirm the time and trip arrangements yet as it's still too early, but we do need to check around how many people from Singapore are intended to go for this trip, so that we can coordinate with the Hong Kong team for trip arrangement as early as possible.
Regarding the cost, I estimate that our major expenses will be on airline tickets as expenses in China is quite low considering the exchange rate between Singapore Dollars and China Yuan. So the total cost will be well within S$2000, probably from S$1000 - 1500.
So if you are intended to go for this trip, please reply in this thread! Do also mention the equipments you are going to bring if you are intended to go. Thanks!
Clear skies,
Jia Hao
So far people intended to go:
Tachyon
