Hello,

On 22 July 2009 (around 8-11 o'clock in the morning - local time) there will be a total solar eclipse in Shanghai (100% total eclipse lasting for approx. 6 mins.).

The eclipse will also be visible in parts of Northern India, with an almost total solar eclipse in places like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.

The 22nd July eclipse is particularly special, as it will mark the longest eclipse of the 21st century at max. 6 minutes and 39 seconds.

Here are the timings for Shanghai :

. 8:23:25 Starting Time
. 9:36:44 Start of Full Eclipse
. 9:41:49 End of Full Eclipse
. 11:01:36 Completed Time

Which means flight EK305 out of PVG will just about miss the onset of the eclipse, but is probably going to fly through it at some stage (soon after take off). I am wondering if this plane will fly through (or maybe) around the eclipse's path on the morning of 22 July 2009??

I've also noticed that EK is sending a wild mix of 773ER and 343 to PVG this summer (this route used to be almost exclusively 343), with cheap tickets still to be had around the date of the eclipse.

As I spend a lot of time in Shanghai, I have adjusted my travel schedule in order to be there when it happens...

Got me wondering if there will be any particular impact on EKs operations, especially in India?? Which flights will be affected?? And are there any extra flights (carrying groups of 'eclipse-spotters')??

Who else will be there ???

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages...leMapFull.html

Just curious,

Ciao,

.

Was planning a trip to China to watch this with a friend... but hes too scared of the piggy flu. Anyone intrested in going?
Check out the PDF on this page -> http://www.eclipse-chasers.com/totality.html
direct link to PDF:: http://www.eclipse-chasers.com/Total...Y!_ISSUE_9.pdf
Its got lots of links for tours and tour operators. Am not intrested in a 10-14 day tour of China... just fly in , watch the eclipse and fly out... with a meal or two in between. Oh and lets avoid EK, only because they are not on my "favourite" list this week.

oh dang it... i'll miss this by a day. i'm flying out on 7/23 on the 3am flt to pvg.

I was actually thinking of going to PVG for the eclipse. However, since from my experience Shanghai experiences a permanent partial solar eclipse everyday (due to smog), I don't think it's worth it.

Ideally you'd need a clear sunny day to see the best of it. I've never seen a clear sunny day in Shanghai yet. There's always a milky haze. So no go.

EK does not offer an eclipse spotting flight, and the only airline that does for this eclipse is either ANA or JAL, can't remember now. It departs from somewhere in southern Japan where the eclipse is also visible.

The eclipse does not affect air transport at all, and no flights will be routes around it.

Extended my stay in SHA for a cple of days, just to be able to witness this eclipse. And hell, did I suffer for it, indeed: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/arti...cle_408113.htm

We've had blue skies and burning hot sunny weather for almost 2 weeks now.

You better believe it: for some reason the Shanghai heat is 10 times worse than the Dubai heat !! I normally like it hot, but I guess sometimes too much is just too much.

And then this evening it has started to rain - just out of the blue...

Really doesn't look good for Wednesday morning's eclipse.

Keeping my fingers crossed though.

Flying out of this place on EK303 on Wed evening... and looking forward to that too. I just checked, and it looks like plenty of other pple have delayed their PVG-departure as well (flight heavily booked).

I hope we will not be disappointed...

.