Shanghai astronomers want the local government to order a 5-minute blackout at about 9:30am on July 22 next year during a total solar eclipse.

Shanghai will be one of the best places in the country to see the solar eclipse which will not occur again until June 2309. The last total solar eclipse occurred in 1575.

"It will be a great chance for local astronomers to study the sun and the solar atmosphere and compare other eclipses as well as giving ordinary citizens an insight into the enthusiasm that astronomy can evince," said Tang Haiming, an official at the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.

"Total solar eclipses occur only once every 200 to 300 years."

Research will be carried out on the impact of the solar eclipse on the environment including its impact on animal behavior and climate change.

A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun's light over part of the earth.

Government officials said yesterday a plan to handle the effects of the solar eclipse will be devised involving government departments including traffic police, telecommunications and the media.

Some in the city are not waiting for a year for the local solar eclipse and instead have organized an expedition to Hami in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is one of the prime observation sites for the total solar eclipse due on August 1.

A team of 50 local astronomy fans recruited from the observatory's Website will head to Xinjiang on July 28.

"The trip combines astronomy and fun," said Tang, the team leader.

"Our Website (www.astron.sh.cn) will broadcast the entire eclipse for those unable to go."

Shanghai residents might be able to see a partial eclipse between 6:28pm and 6:50pm on the day, Tang said.

(Shanghai Daily July 2, 2008)