The Annular solar eclipse which occurred 21 years ago on August 22, 1998, in Mersing, Johor will take place again on December 26. National Planetarium director Anita Bahari said Tanjung Piai was selected in the Pontian District, Johor, and Serian city of Sarawak as the official location for the Annular Solar Eclipse.

She said at a press conference of the National Planetarium on Monday. "It will start from the Arab countries, then to India, and then pass through Sumatra and Malaysia, Johor and Sarawak and then through Singapore and Borneo terminating in the Pacific Ocean.

"The central circle which is restricted by the others will see partial solar eclipses, so only certain places will experience the Annular Solar Eclipse.

"If we look at Malaysia's eclipse in Tanjung Piai, Serian will experience the Annular Sun eclipse from two and a half minutes to three and a half minutes,".

Anita added that the National Planetarium in collaboration with Tanjung Piai National Park, Tourism Malaysia, and Pontian District Council also organized three related events from 24 to 26 December, called SolarFest Malaysia 2019.

She explained "Among the activities planned to be carried out at official locations include science lectures and eclipse viewing equipment workshops, eclipse Edu-kit distribution and eclipse observation.

"While SolarFest Malaysia 2019 at Tanjung Piai National Park will be actively attended by local astrophysicists, ambassadors, and celebrities, it will include various side events such as solar exhibition sites, universal awareness campaigns, solar Gastronomy, mangrove planting campaigns, ethnic Johor music and food shows, religious programs and nature exploration, ".

She further added that fans of astronomical activity will have the opportunity to see the Annular Solar Eclipse live on social media which is expected to be followed by two million astronomers worldwide as well as a target collection of 2,000 telescopes to be recorded in the Malaysian Book of Records (MBOR).

According to Anita, the difference in the gravitational pull of the moon following the ring's solar eclipse will cause the water level in Tanjung Piai and the west coast of the Peninsula to rise up to 3.4 meters, compared to the usual rate of between two and three meters.

Visitors are also advised not to look at the eclipse directly. You can use binoculars equipped with mylar eclipse filter and welding glass number 14 and above which will be made available at the National Planetarium.