Solar eclipse of March 9, 2016

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit between Tuesday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 9, 2016,   with a magnitude of 1.045. If viewed from east of the International Date Line (for instance from Hawaii), the eclipse took place on March 8 (Tuesday) (local time) and elsewhere on March 9 (Wednesday). A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's and the apparent path of the Sun and Moon intersect, blocking all direct sunlight and turning daylight into darkness; the Sun appears to be black with a halo around it. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. The eclipse of March 8–9, 2016 was visible across an area of Pacific Ocean, which started in the Indian Ocean, and ended in the northern Pacific Ocean.

It was the 52nd eclipse of the 130th Saros cycle, which began with a partial eclipse on August 20, 1059, and will conclude with a partial eclipse on October 25, 2394.

The eclipse was clearly visible in many parts of Indonesia, including Central Sulawesi and Ternate, but obscured by clouds and smokes in Palembang, the largest city on the path of totality. The eclipse coincided with Nyepi, a public holiday in Indonesia and the end of the Balinese saka calendar. Because Nyepi is normally a day of silence, Muslims in Bali had to be given special dispensation to attend special prayer services during the eclipse.

Path of the eclipse
On March 9, 2016, a large area of the Pacific, covering Indonesia, Borneo, but also large parts of Southeast Asia and Australia, witnessed a partial solar eclipse. It was total in multiple islands of Indonesia, three atolls of the Federated States of Micronesia (Eauripik, Woleai and Ifalik) and the central Pacific, starting at sunrise over Sumatra and ending at sunset north of Hawaii. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the totality exceeded a duration of more than 4 minutes. ed, and much of East Asia witnessed more than 50% partial eclipse.

The largest city along the path of totality was Palembang in southern Sumatra (423 km from Jakarta and 478 km from Singapore).

In order to watch the total solar eclipse, Alaska Airlines adjusted the flight plan for Flight 870. The flight passed through the umbral shadow about 695 mi north of Hawaii.

Eclipses of 2016

 * A total solar eclipse on March 9.
 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on March 23.
 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on August 18.
 * An annular solar eclipse on September 1.
 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on September 16.

Metonic

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of May 20, 2012
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 26, 2019

Tzolkinex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of January 26, 2009
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of April 20, 2023

Half-Saros

 * Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 3, 2007
 * Followed by: Lunar eclipse of March 14, 2025

Tritos

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of April 8, 2005
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of February 6, 2027

Solar Saros 130

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 26, 1998
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of March 20, 2034

Inex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of March 29, 1987
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of February 16, 2045

Triad

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of May 9, 1929
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of January 8, 2103