Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Excitement among observers of solar eclipse

DIBRUGARH, July 22: The general atmosphere among the observers who had gathered at Dibrugarh University today to watch the rare event of total solar eclipse was that of excitement.
There was dismay when it began to rain in the early morning hours. However, the rains stopped as the moment of total eclipse approached and all present were able to experience the darkness that fell when the sun was totally overshadowed. But, there was disappointment also as the diamond ring could not be observed.
The university released three balloons today to observe the atmospheric variations during the event.
Meanwhile, the teachers and students of Life Sciences Department had formed groups to watch the behavioural changes in fresh water fishes, tadpole, mollusc (Acatina), kuchia, honeybee, butterfly and mosquito larvae. The groups watching the stomatal reaction in aloe vera and photoreaction in mimosa pudika, amla, nine o’ clock and phylanthus niruri saw visible changes during the eclipse. The department also recorded the effect of the event on photosynthesis in certain plants.
The Registrar of Dibrugarh University, Dr PK Bhuyan, told The Sentinel that the preliminary indication of the studies carried out by the Physics Department was that, there were some of the expected variations of observed parameters. However, further analysis was on and it was too early to say anything, he added.

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