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Dawn eclipse obscured by monsoon cover |
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Thursday, 23 July 2009 |
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 At daybreak on Wednesday (July 22), a total solar eclipse cast its shadow over parts of India and China. However the experience for many who had gathered at the best site from which to view the eclipse - Taregna in Bihar - was ruined by monsoon clouds that had built up overnight; the rains however were welcomed by farmers. In fact the view for several who had gathered in other locations in India, was also obscured by cloud cover.
The eclipse's 'path totality' began on the coast of Gujarat at 6:30am (local time) before moving on to Varanasi, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, parts of China and the Pacific. This eclipse is the longest eclipse of the 21st century. The total duration of the solar eclipse, extended to six minutes and 39 seconds.
Apart from drawing enthusiasts and amateur astronomers, the phenomenon drew scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics who took a flight to coincide with the time of the eclipse, an episode which they filmed. Eclipses give scientists the opportunity to study the sun's corona.
Merinews
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