Tuesday, July 21, 2009

solar eclipse today,July 22nd.



The longest full solar eclipse of this century will blot out the sun today (Wednesday) as it passes over Pakistan and other countries.

According to a private TV channel, the eclipse would begin when the moon blocks out the sun at about 5:58am and would end approximately five hours later at 11:12am.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s orbit moves between the Earth and the Sun so that the Sun is fully or partially obstructed.

According to the Met department, the solar eclipse will be witnessed in some parts of Pakistan, northern India, eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, Bhutan, northern parts of Myanmar and central China. Tomorrow’s eclipse is benefiting the tourism industries in

China and India that have had fewer visitors because of the global recession and the swine flu threat.

The Park Hyatt Hotel on the 91st floor of the Shanghai World Financial Centre, China’s tallest building, has fully booked its 2,830 yuan ($414) package for watching the eclipse that includes a night’s stay and champagne breakfast for two.

The eclipse will first be visible at about 5:28am Indian local time on the western coast of India, before the shadow crosses the eastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the shadow of the eclipse would pass over the cities of Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Patna.

Thousands of people from across China and overseas are expected to travel long distances to gaze at the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse of the sun tomorrow which is best visible along the Yangtze River.

No comments: