View of the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century taken on the beach of Iheya island, Okinawa province, Japan, 22 July, 2009. Amateur stargazers and scientists from across Asia flocked to Japan's southern islands to view the first total solar eclipse in 46 years in Japan. Iheya island is believed by local islanders to be the home of the gods. EPA/HITOSHI MAESHRIO
People use the viewing goggles to view the solar eclipse at the observation deck of the building in Tokyo, Japan, 22 July 2009. Hundreds of people gathered to observe the longest solar eclipse of the 21st centry, the first in 46 years that can be observed from Japanese territory. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
Japanese islanders watch the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century on the beach of Iheya island, Okinawa province, Japan, 22 July, 2009. Amateur stargazers and scientists from across Asia flocked to Japan's southern islands to view the first total solar eclipse in 46 years in Japan. Iheya island is believed by local islanders to be the home of the gods. To commemorate the solar event, renowned trumpet player Toshinori Kondo performed on the beach during the solar eclipse.A solar eclipse occurs at New Moon when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The total phase of a solar eclipse is very brief and generally lasts no more than several minutes. Still, it is considered one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in nature, as the sky takes on an eerie glow as the face of the sun is replaced by the moon. EPA/HITOSHI MAESHRIO
In this handout image provided by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is seen what scientists say is the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century taken from the national observatory on Iojima island, Japan, 22 July, 2009. Amateur stargazers and scientists from across Asia flocked to Japan's southern islands to view the first total solar eclipse in 46 years in Japan. EPA/EVERETT KENNEDY BROWN
In this handout image provided by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is seen what scientists say is the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century taken from the national observatory on Iojima island, Japan, 22 July, 2009. Amateur stargazers and scientists from across Asia flocked to Japan's southern islands to view the first total solar eclipse in 46 years in Japan. EPA/NICT
Indian Brahmins take holy dip at the Marina beach after a special 'pooja' or prayer during the partial solar eclipse in southern Indian city of Chennai, India, 22 July 2009. Some parts of India witnessed one of the most spectacular celestial phenomenon of total solar eclipse of the 21st century. This total solar eclipse occurred due to the hiding of the Sun behind the Moon and was visible for about 6 minutes and 58 seconds.The solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 is the longest total eclipse of the Sun of this century and the longest seen in India since 18 August 1868. EPA/STR
Indian woman watches a partial solar eclipse at the Marina beach in southern Indian city of Chennai, India, 22 July 2009. Some parts of India witnessed one of the most spectacular celestial phenomenon of total solar eclipse of the 21st century. This total solar eclipse occurred due to the hiding of the Sun behind the Moon and was visible for about 6 minutes and 58 seconds.The solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 is the longest total eclipse of the Sun of this century and the longest seen in India since 18 August 1868. EPA/STR
Indian Brahmins perform a special 'pooja' or prayer at the Marina beach during the partial solar eclipse in southern Indian city of Chennai, India, 22 July 2009. Some parts of India witnessed one of the most spectacular celestial phenomenon of total solar eclipse of the 21st century. This total solar eclipse occurred due to the hiding of the Sun behind the Moon and was visible for about 6 minutes and 58 seconds.The solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 is the longest total eclipse of the Sun of this century and the longest seen in India since 18 August 1868. EPA/STR
Indian boat man tries to rescue a devotee from the Ganga water in a stampede like situation during the solar eclipse in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009. Two people were killed when thousands of people gathered at the banks of the ganges to watch the solar eclipse. One of the victims died because of drowning and the other got crushed in the stampede according to the police officials. EPA/HARISH TYAGI
Indian devotees take the holy ganga water during an eclipse at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI
A view of a partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India on 22 July 2009. In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to 'swallow' the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable. On 22 July, India witnessed one of the most spectacular celestial phenomenon of total solar eclipse of the 21st century. EPA/ANINDITO MUKHERJEE
A view of the partial solar eclipse seen through the domes of the Golden Temple in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, India, 22 July 2009. Some parts of India witnessed one of the most spectacular celestial phenomenon of total solar eclipse of the 21st century. This total solar eclipse occurred due to the hiding of the Sun behind the Moon and was visible for about 6 minutes and 58 seconds. The total solar eclipse is visible in India, especially in cities like Surat, Baroda, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi, Patna, Danapur and Guwahati. In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable. The solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 is the longest total eclipse of the Sun of this century and the longest seen in India since 18 August 1868. EPA/RAMINDER PAL SINGH
The diamond ring effect moments before totality during the total solar eclipse as seen from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI
Indian divotees gathers to take the holy ganga water before an eclipse at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI
A composite picture shows the Sun being covered by the moon during various stages of an eclipse as seen from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009. The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China. EPA/HARISH TYAGI
The diamond ring effect moments before totality during the total solar eclipse as seen from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI
epa01802204 The diamond ring effect moments before totality during the total solar eclipse as seen from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI EPA/HARISH TYAGI
The diamond ring effect moments before totality during the total solar eclipse as seen from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI
This picture shows the sun covered by the moon during an eclipse as seen from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India on 22 July 2009.The Total Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan, was visible in its total phase in some regions in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and witnessed the longest Solar Eclipse of the century and eclipse starred on the west coast of India and traveled north-east across the sub-continent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting for 4 minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China EPA/HARISH TYAGI
An Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Astronomy handout picture shows rare occurrence of a solar eclipse over Sri Lanka in the early hours of 22 July 2009, as photographed from the Arthur C. Clarke Centre in Moratuwa, 20 Kms from Colombo. Clouds in the eastern sky obstructed from viewing the beginning of the eclipse. Eclipses, either solar or lunar are look upon by most Sri Lankans with trepidation. Most superstitious of them portend unfavourable periods to the country or people of prominence. But those with modern thinking dismissed these traditional beliefs and urge people to be more realistic. The Arthur C. Clarke Centre has an astronomy division where they raise awareness of the people through regular programmes and dessiminate information. EPA/ARTHUR C CLERKE INSTITUTE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY
An Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Astronomy handout picture shows rare occurrence of a solar eclipse over Sri Lanka in the early hours of 22 July 2009, as photographed from the Arthur C. Clarke Centre in Moratuwa, 20 Kms from Colombo. Clouds in the eastern sky obstructed from viewing the beginning of the eclipse. Eclipses, either solar or lunar are look upon by most Sri Lankans with trepidation. Most superstitious of them portend unfavourable periods to the country or people of prominence. But those with modern thinking dismissed these traditional beliefs and urge people to be more realistic. The Arthur C. Clarke Centre has an astronomy division where they raise awareness of the people through regular programmes and dessiminate information. EPA/ARTHUR C CLERKE INSTITUTE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY
