Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Marshalls atolls note solar eclipse

Posted at 07:27 on 22 July, 2009 UTC

The government of Marshall Islands says a solar eclipse that passed over parts of Asia also cast two of its atolls into darkness.

A government spokesperson in Majuro, Neil Florus, says Enewetak and Juluit Atolls experienced the full eclipse.

Earlier reports of bad weather in Enewetak suggested poor visibility of the event.

But, Mr Florus says he contacted government officials via radio in the two atolls after the momentous occasion.

“I hear at Juluit Atoll it’s like raining there or the weather is not good, but at Enewetak Atoll the sky was clear and our people there and also the guests especially the Scientists that came from Germany and the University of Hawaii and some other tourist who went too just view the solar eclipse really saw it good.”

Neil Florus says his view of the eclipse in Majuro was obstructed by clouds.

The eclipse was also due to be seen in parts of Kiribati and Fiji.