Scientists, island residents brace for total solar eclipse+

TOKYO, July 18 Kyodo -
Scientists from across the country have begun to converge on a quiet
southwestern island as residents ready for a deluge of visitors ahead of the
first total solar eclipse in 46 years that can be observed from Japanese
territory on Wednesday.
Researchers from a government-backed aerospace agency and local universities
are poised to set out on a sea excursion and overcome shaky waters when the
eclipse gives them a rare opportunity to conduct offshore, on-deck astronomical
observations.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Kobe University, two of the research
institutions boarding a training ship owned by Kagoshima University for the
observations, have created an apparatus designed to minimize the effects of
waves.
They will examine whether the sun has a ring like Saturn and Jupiter, when
Kagoshima Prefecture islands will be treated to the upcoming spectacle shortly
before 11 a.m.
''The precision of observational instruments has improved significantly, so we
hope we can end the debate on whether the sun has a ring or not,'' said Tadashi
Mukai, professor emeritus at Kobe University.
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and Kyoto University will study
the sun's corona by using images taken with digital cameras. They will also ask
amateur observers gathering for the occasion to provide them with pictures in
order to help analyze data.
Kagoshima University will monitor wind speed and direction to see if a solar
eclipse changes wind patterns.
Kagoshima University professor Yoshiaki Sofue, who will head the joint
observatory project, emphasized that using a ship will help give them mobility
in astronomical observations.
''Seventy percent of the Earth is made up of sea and we only have utilized the
remaining 30 percent until now. I think it will be interesting if observation
from ships becomes a standard method.''
On land, meanwhile, residents of the Tokara Islands are bracing for a rush of
visitors expected to total roughly 1,100, nearly twice the population of the
chain of small islets.
Residents of Akuseki Island, where the total eclipse will last 6 minutes, 25
seconds, have hurriedly set up 60 tents on a schoolyard and prepared makeshift
beds. A tourist agency has prepared 10,000 sets of food to be served to
visitors since there are only a few shops and restaurants.
Toshikazu Kuwahara, an owner of a Kagoshima city restaurant, will help serve
sukiyaki steak and other food to visitors to Akuseki Island.
''It's happening in the tough, midsummer climate, so I just want everyone to
stay healthy with our food,'' he said.
==Kyodo