India to view longest solar eclipse July 22

July 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Cloudy skies in large parts of northern and western India Wednesday marred a clear view of the century's longest total solar eclipse but the celestial spectacle was clearly visible over Varanasi. Tens of thousands of people across the country rose early to see the eclipse that was to begin at the earliest at 5:29 a.m.

July 22nd, 2009 CHONGQING - A total solar eclipse was observed at many places in China Wednesday morning, officials said. At 9.15 a.m., many places in the upper reaches of China's longest river, the Yangtze, were engulfed in total darkness.

July 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - As dawn broke Wednesday, the century's longest total solar eclipse began with thousands of sky gazers craning their neck skywards to catch the glimpse of the rare celestial spectacle. The sun rose eclipsed Wednesday morning at 5:28 a.m.

July 22nd, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - Those who had hoped to witness the century's longest solar eclipse in Orissa were disappointed Wednesday as the sky remained overcast in most parts of the state. Thousands of people woke up early in the morning and were armed with special glasses to see the phenomenon.

July 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - The total solar eclipse passing over some of Earth's most densely populated regions on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, may become the most viewed eclipse ever. People across central India and in parts of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar will briefly find themselves in daytime darkness before the solar eclipse proceeds into China.

July 21st, 2009 The Surya Grahan or total solar eclipse in India shall be visible in different parts of the country. It shall be seen in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

July 21st, 2009 MUMBAI - Did you know animals and birds often prepare for sleep or behave confusedly during total solar eclipse? Well, here are some other little known facts about solar eclipse. - The longest recorded duration for a total solar eclipse is 7.5 minutes.

July 21st, 2009 The eclipse begins in the western parts of India will be moving through China and ends in the Pacific Ocean. The July 22, 2009, Surya Grahan is a partial solar eclipse in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia and Brunei.

July 20th, 2009 SURAT - The Gujarat government Monday launched a website dedicated to the total solar eclipse of July 22, an official here said. The state government launched the website solareclipsesurat.in jointly with the Surat Municipal Corporation and the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

July 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Sky gazers are looking forward to watching the total solar eclipse on July 22, even as scientists fear the weather may play spoilsport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a cloudy sky July 22 with possibility of rain and thundershowers.

July 20th, 2009 This solar eclipse will be one of those much waiting celestial phenomenon a total solar eclipse. It will be seen in India  from 5.35 a.m.

July 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD - Hoping to attract around 5,000 tourists to watch the solar eclipse on July 22 in Surat district, one of the places in India where the total eclipse will be visible, the Gujarat government Saturday announced it would offer free boarding to the first 200 people registering with them. The tourists will be accommodated in the homes of local people in Surat free of charge under a scheme called 'Atithi devo bhava' (the guest is almost akin to god).

July 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Commencing Tuesday, three eclipses - a lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse and another lunar - will take over the skies, a phenomenon which although experts say is not rare, will nevertheless be nature's grand spectacle. On July 7, a penumbral lunar eclipse will occur as the moon rises over Australia and sets in western north and south America in the early pre-dawn hours, said C.B.

January 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The first solar eclipse of the year was partially visible in some parts of India and observed by various people Monday afternoon. The eclipse started at 2.15 p.m.

January 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Sky gazers in some parts of India will get an opportunity to observe a partial solar eclipse Jan 26. The eclipse, first for the year, will start at 2.15 p.m.