Partial solar eclipse underway

Malaysia will experience a partial solar eclipse today, in conjunction with the hybrid solar eclipse phenomenon north of the Australian continent. 

In Sabah, the phenomenon will be visible from 11am to 2pm, while in the peninsula, it will be visible from 11am to 1pm. 

The science, technology and innovation ministry said last week that the eclipse would reach maximum coverage of 1% to 15% in the peninsula. 

"In Kuching, Sarawak, it will reach 30%; in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, it will be 34%; and the highest coverage will be in Tawau at 43%," it said in a statement.

Viewing programmes will be held at the Kuala Lumpur National Planetarium as well as in Tawau, with live streaming on Facebook and YouTube. 

The ministry said visibility would depend on weather conditions.

"If a location experiences thick cloud formation or rain or is cloudy, then it won't be possible to view the partial eclipse from that site," it said.