On 26th of coming December, As Sri Lanka gets a very rare opportunity to observe an annular solar eclipse which is to be occurred during 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. time, we, J’pura Astronomy Club (with the support of Arthur C. Clarke Institute) have organized to hold a public solar eclipse observational camp along with a special astronomical research project. We have planned to conduct this camp in Iranamadu as the central pathway of the solar eclipse falls directly across it. For the program, 70 university students plus 2 lecturers are to be participated, hoping to provide this valuable opportunity for school children (expecting a minimum of 500 school kids’ participation) in the area and outsiders as well.

The main objective of conducting this camp is to popularize astronomy based activities in rural areas in Sri Lanka, making school children and other people interested in the subject. This event also highlights the safety precautions that should be followed when observing a solar eclipse as we guide them to observe the event safely through telescopes with special safety filters, by letting them use safety solar viewers for a safe and memorial solar eclipse experience. Most importantly, we largely focus on providing basic scientific knowledge on different types of solar eclipses such as total, annular and partial eclipses, highlighting their differences. Considering all the above objectives, our program looks forward to increasing peoples’ awareness of astronomy, reflecting all the advantages of it on human society.