Asia braces for total solar eclipse Millions of people across Asia will witness the longest total solar eclipse expected this century early on Wednesday. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is caught between the sun and the Earth while each of them moves along their fixed orbits. Astronomers hope the eclipse would help to improve their understanding of the sun as it would offer a prolonged view of the sun's corona. Meanwhile an astrologer in Burma predicted the event could usher in chaos. Some in India advised pregnant relatives to stay indoors to follow a centuries-old tradition of avoiding the sun's invisible rays. The eclipse was to move east across India, Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China before hitting the Pacific. The previous total eclipse, in August 2008, lasted two minutes and 27 seconds. This one was due to last 6 minutes and 39 seconds at its maximum point. Poor weather was expected to spoil the view in Shanghai, initially thought by scientists to be one of the best spots to watch the eclipse. The next total solar eclipse will be on July 11 next year, but far fewer people are likely to see it as it tracks across the South Pacific over French Polynesia and Easter Island to the southern tip of South America
Videos > Solar Eclipse 2009
Solar Eclipse 2009
by Father Sky on August 8, 2011
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