EVENT | Witnessing the Annular Solar Eclipse from Mt. Fuji's Summit | Panasonic

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Capturing a Moment of the Century with Clean Energy!?

EVENT | Witnessing an Annular Solar Eclipse from Mt. Fuji's Summit

An annular solar eclipse is expected on the early morning of May 21st. Many are likely looking forward to it, aren't they? In conjunction with this, Panasonic has planned a project titled "ELIPSE LIVE FROM FUJIYAMA by SOLAR POWER." This project will broadcast live to the world from the summit of Mt. Fuji, the "place closest to the sun in Japan," capturing this miracle, the first in 25 years.

Text by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)

Capturing a Moment of the Century with Clean Energy!?

A solar eclipse is a phenomenon where the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, obscuring part (or sometimes all) of the Sun. Among these, a total solar eclipse, where the Sun is completely hidden, and an annular solar eclipse, where the Sun's edge peeks out like a donut around the Moon, are rare occurrences visible only within a narrow path.

This annular solar eclipse is the first observable in Japan in 25 years, since September 23, 1987, when it was seen over Okinawa Island and surrounding areas. If missed, the next opportunity won't be until June 1, 2030, in Hokkaido, so one would certainly want to witness its spectacle.

On the day, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible nationwide, an annular solar eclipse can be seen in a band known as the "path of annularity," which includes the southern parts of Kyushu and Shikoku, southern Kinki, southern Chubu, and Kanto regions. Within this path, as the Moon passes in front of the Sun, the Sun will appear as a donut shape before and after the eclipse reaches its maximum.

Located directly in the center of this path of annularity, Mt. Fuji's summit at an altitude of 3,776 meters, with its clear air, is an ideal observation point offering the most beautiful view of the annular solar eclipse. However, there is a significant challenge. The summit of Mt. Fuji in May is a sub-zero environment covered in snow, with no facilities for daily living power. This is where Panasonic steps in. To "deliver this moment of the century to the entire world," they have planned the project "ELIPSE LIVE FROM FUJIYAMA by SOLAR POWER" to broadcast the moment of the annular solar eclipse live via the internet.

The words SOLAR POWER in the project name signify that this is an environmentally friendly project powered entirely by solar energy. All the equipment needed for the broadcast, including video cameras, shooting equipment, and computers, will be powered by Panasonic's own "HIT® solar cells" and storage batteries.

Base camp set up at the 5th station

A beautiful annular solar eclipse like this should be visible on the day.

The schedule leading up to the day is as follows: On May 17th, a base camp will be established at the midpoint of Mt. Fuji (the 5th station), where power generation using solar cells and charging of storage batteries will commence. On May 20th, the day before the eclipse, the electricity generated at this base camp will be used to charge portable power supplies for home use. The "attack team," comprising the filming crew, will then ascend the frozen steep slopes to carry these to the summit. The live broadcast will begin by relaying the activities of the filming crew overcoming these arduous conditions, culminating in the moment the annular solar eclipse is captured.

Don't miss this grand project, which brings together the power of the sun and human effort.

ELIPSE LIVE FROM FUJIYAMA by SOLAR POWER
Total power consumption for the broadcast (all solar powered) | 14200Wh
Broadcast destination | http://panasonic.net/eclipselive/ (Special website)
http://www.facebook.com/PanasonicEclipseLive (Facebook page)