He spent Rs 2 lakh to view the eclipse

Vikram Virulkar worked at a call centre to buy telescope that let him enjoy the best view of the solar eclipse

For most Mumbaikars, watching today's solar eclipse in its entirety would have meant travelling to places that would offer 100 per cent view.
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But Vikram S Virulkar (21), an astrographer, had to just walk up to his building terrace for a close look at the century's longest solar eclipse.
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On the terrace of his building in Borivli, he had set up a telescope that he bought from the US to ensure that he wouldn't miss the eclipse, which can now be viewed only 123 years later. What's more, he spent over Rs 2 lakh for this.



Virulkar, who owns Beyond Earth a company that specialises in educating people about outer space is apparently the first person in the state to own a Celestron-Osba telescope.
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"After I came to know that the longest solar eclipse of this century would occur this year, I wanted to have the best-possible view of the eclipse.

This was only possible through a telescope. I worked at a call centre to collect Rs 2 lakh to make my dream came true. The telescope was delivered at my home last month," he said.
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Initially, some people in Surat, which had a 100 per cent view of the eclipse, invited Virulkar so that they too could enjoy the eclipse closely through his telescope.

But he declined the offer. "I was invited to Surat for my telescope, but refused after I learnt that the real fusion of the moon and sun would last only three minutes.

Everybody couldn't have seen the eclipse through the telescope in such a short span. Why promise things that are not possible," he said.
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There was only one thing troubling Virulkar and his family when MiD DAY left him last night unexpected rains.
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"My telescope will help me view the eclipse closely, but if it rains I won't be able to place the telescope on my terrace.
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If you don't view it now, you'll never see it again in your lifetime," said Virulkar, who could barely contain his excitement.

Ek Kadam Aage

Vikram Virulkar left even the rich and famous behind in his endeavour to view the solar eclipse. He spent more than the country's richest CEOs and businessmen, who chartered planes to view the eclipse.

As compared to his Rs 2 lakh, they have spent only between Rs 30,000 to Rs 90,000 on their plane seats for the eclipse flights.