26 July, 2009

Solar Eclipse on 22 July-2009




In photo: This picture combination shows five stages of the solar.

Graphic showing the path of Wednesday's total solar eclipse across Asia and the Pacific. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century plunged millions across Asia into temporary darkness, triggering scenes of religious fervour, fear and excitement in India and China.The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century created near darkness soon after dawn in a swath of India stretching from the west coast to the northern plains where millions gathered in the open to watch.

A thick cloud cover over India that had obscured the sun when the eclipse began at dawn parted in several cities, minutes before the total eclipse caused when the moon covers the sun completely to cast a shadow on earth at 6.24 a.m. (0054 GMT).

At its peak, the eclipse lasted 6 minutes and 39 seconds in other parts of Asia.
It is the longest such eclipse since July 11, 1991, when a total eclipse lasting 6 minutes, 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America. There will not be a longer eclipse than Wednesday's until 2132.

This event is going to be the longest total eclipse of this century and the longest seen in India since Aug 18, 1868. The next total eclipse in the country takes place on Jun 3, 2114.


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