26 Dec 2019 would remain historic and enduring for many astronomy enthusiasts across Asia. Crowds had assembled to catch a glimpse of the annular solar eclipse unfolding before their eyes. This rare astronomical phenomenon occurs when the moon covers the centre of the sun, but with the latter’s outer edges still visible, the appearance is a “ring of fire” or annulus around the moon.

Over at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the much anticipated annular solar eclipse event on Boxing Day attracted over hundreds of staff, alumni and students with scores of members of the public. More than 50 telescopes and optical equipment (several by local amateur astronomers) were set up at the multipurpose field from 11:00 am till 3:30 pm. The Department of Physics and the NUS Astronomical Society, organisers of the event, also distributed more than 5000 solar viewer cards to those present. With a brilliant weather enveloping Singapore, everyone was able to soak in a full view of the “ring of fire” which occurred at exactly 1:23 pm and lasted just under four minutes. The next occurrence will be in the year 2063.

The Southeast Asia Astronomy Network (SEAAN) Meeting was also held during the same period from 26 to 28 Dec 2019. Organised by the Department of Physics (Dr Abel Yang (chair), Dr Cindy Ng (co-chair), Dr Ng Wei Khim (SEAAN proceedings chair) and A/Prof Phil Chan (advisor)), the meeting drew over 80 overseas and local participants. The purpose of the SEAAN Meeting is to bring together people working in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics from Southeast Asia. It aims to facilitate exchanges in both astronomy development and educational practices, as well as astronomy outreach efforts. Inaugurated in 2007 at the National Astronomy Research Institute of Thailand, the SEAAN Meeting has since been taking place among the various Southeast Asian countries. The department also received 22 students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Astronomical Society.

The annular solar eclipse was a highlight of the SEANN Meeting and definitely the right moment to celebrate astronomy in Southeast Asia.