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June 22, 2009 witnessed the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. The total eclipse was visible in some parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Japan and so on. Many people in the specified places due to bad weather and clouds. Here is the video of the Solar Eclipse of June 22, 2009 as seen from Varanasi of India:



You can see that the video shows the different stages of total solar eclipse in Varanasi. Firslty, the eclipse started around 5:30 in India and it was hidden by moon slowly. It seemed as a partial moon in 6:10. Finally total eclipse occured at 6:22. Diamond ring was observed 6:26.

Surya Grahan on 22 July 2009 is going to be the longest total solar eclipse of the century. The total eclipse begins from Western part of India near Surat and travels towards west - Varodora, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi, Patna, Nepal, Bangladesh,Bhutan, Darjelling, eastern part of India, central of China, southern Japan and towards Pacific ocean. The partial eclipse can be viewed in all places of India, Nepal and most other Asian countries.

The Exact date and time of Surya Grahan 2009 :
The date is 22 July, 2009 which falls on Wednesday and time differs in many places all over the world. As I said above, it would start earlier in Surat and very late in Eastern India and later in Japan and Pacific. You can view this article to know the timing of Solar Eclipse 2009 in different places.

How to watch the solar Eclipse on 2009:
Never try to see it with naked eye, telescopes, binoculars, simple glasses, mirrors or images on water. Take proper advice from the concerned person. This article may help you.

What are the religious views regarding the Surya Grahan?
Hindu religion regards it as bad sign. Find in detail here.

As said in the previous post, June 22 is going to be the day when the earth will witness the longest solar eclipse of the century. I will talk from religious view about the Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) in this post.

In Hindu Mythology, sun is swallowed by two demons Rahu and Ketu in the solar eclipse. People are not advised to eat, drink or sleep during, before and after sometimes the eclipse occurs. It is advised to take bath in a religious place. It is regarded as a wonderful time to perform any type of worships.

The July 22 Surya Grahan may bring a lot of changes if we look from religious views. here are some: (Source: The Himalayan Times- July 19, 2009)

1) In a span of 30 days 3 eclipses are going to take place - two lunar and one solar. The first recorded triple eclipse was in 3067 BC - the 18-day period of Mahabharata. Triple eclipses took place in series from 1910 to 1945 when wars like World War I, WW II, nuclear bombing took place. In Biblical stories triple eclipse are linked to destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

2) Financial problems in world may worsen which will improve by the end of year and Agricultural sector in Asia may face several issues due to scanty rainfall.

3)As said earlier war may outbreak and political instability may take place.

4) Psychological problem may arise.

5)Women may face stomach problem. Giving birth during this period is not advised.

This may not be true as many scientists and some astrologers too regard the eclipse as a good sign rather than the cause of violence and irregularities. Scientists believe it to be a chance to perform a lot of research and discoveries.

On July 22, 2009 the earth will witness the longest 'total' solar eclipse of 21st century which will be visible from many parts of Asia including northern India, Eastern Nepal, China, Myanmmar and parts of Pacific ocean. The maximum time of the total eclipse will be 6 minutes and 39 seconds in Southern Japan. It will remain the longest till July 13, 2132. But next total solar Eclipse will be visible in 11 July, 2010. In this eclipse, it would be completely dark as in night.

What is a total Solar Eclipse?
Total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. The intensely bright disk of the Sun is replaced by the dark silhouette of the Moon. Total solar eclipse can be observed from a small part of the world. Unlike partial eclipse, whole part of sun will be hidden by Moon in total solar eclipse.

What will be the path of total solar eclipse?
The eclipse will start from India, to Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan China and Ryukyu island of Japan from where it curves toward the south i.e Pacific ocean. See this map of solar total eclipse. It will travel about 15,150 km in earth surface where it remains about 3 hours and 25 minutes.

Where will be the total solar eclipse be seen?
As said earlier, it would be seen in Northern India which includes Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Patna. Eastern Part of Nepal including Dharan, Ithari, Biratnagar and Mechinagar will also witness total solar eclipse. In China it will be seen in Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hefei, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Northern tip of Myanmar will also witness the total eclipse. Some part of Bhutan and many places in the Pacific will witness total eclipse.
However, partial eclipse can be seen from all parts of India, Nepal, China and most Asian countries and those in Oceania.

What is the best place for Eclipse to be seen?
Taregana in Bihar of India which is 25 km from Patna will be the best place to watch the solar eclipse. The surya grahan would be most clear from that place.

You can watch the solar eclipse live on the internet on http://www.eclipsesolar.es/