JAKARTA. Although it is not on the list of Indonesian cities set to be swept by a total solar eclipse on Wednesday, Jayapura in Papua will be experiencing the longest eclipse, which will last for 2 hours, 55 minutes and 3.1 seconds, an expert has said.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency’s (BMKG) Angkasapura geophysics station head, Danang Permana, said the solar eclipse in Jayapura would peak at 10:17 a.m. local time.

“Jayapura will see a 78 percent eclipse, in which the eclipse peak darkness will sharply occur at 10:17 a.m. local time. Jayapura will have the longest solar eclipse among areas across Indonesia,” Danang said on Tuesday.

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The BMKG has prepared two telescopes to observe the solar eclipse in the courtyard of state-owned television station TVRI Jayapura in Bhayangkara subdistrict.

“Locals can use them to observe the eclipse,” said Dadang.

BMKG officials installed the telescopes at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, attracting passersby.

Jayapura residents are ready to welcome the rare natural phenomenon with various activities. Muslims in the city are set to carry out solar eclipse prayers, which will be centered at Baitul Rahman Grand Mosque in Jayapura.

Many residents are ready to view the eclipse by adopting traditional methods, including by viewing it through bowls filled with water along the street.

“We will view the solar eclipse through the shadow reflected on the water so we will not be blinded,” said Nurlina, a Jayapura resident. (Nethty Dharma Somba)

Editor: Yudho Winarto