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DARKNESS AFTER DAWN
On 22nd July 2009, India woke up to witness a rare celestial phenomenon not to be surpassed in the 21st century– the total solar eclipse. This is the longest eclipse of the 21st century, being 6 minutes 38 secs at some places. The eclipse footprint began around 6:30am from western India and then racing across to eastern India in a few minutes before crossing to Burma, small islands of Japan and China. In India, total solar eclipse was visible in the cities lying close to the central and eastern part of India – a narrow strip beginning from the western shore of Surat , moving to the northern cities of Agra, Varanasi, Indore Bhopal, Patna , Bhagalpur and then to the eastern cities of Jalpaigudi, Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Itanagar. In the remaining parts of the country, partial solar eclipse was visible. However, at many places thick dark clouds disappointed many enthusiasts who had gathered to watch the celestial spectacle.
The eclipse had generated a lot of interest in the country. Teams of scientists from various parts of the world including NASA had camped at various places in the country to witness the phenomenon and conduct experiments. Taregna, a small sleepy village 12 miles from Patna, had been declared as the best place to witness the solar eclipse by NASA. Hence, Taregana attracted the maximum number of tourists and scientists. However, man proposes and God disposes. The dark clouds which blotted out the view in many parts of the country, played spoil sport at Taregana too, thus disappointing the people who had gathered there. The spectacular solar eclipse was witnessed in full glory in Agra, the city of Taj Mahal and the holy city of Varanasi.
The next solar eclipse of such a long duration is expected on 13th June, 2132.
The eclipse had generated a lot of interest in the country. Teams of scientists from various parts of the world including NASA had camped at various places in the country to witness the phenomenon and conduct experiments. Taregna, a small sleepy village 12 miles from Patna, had been declared as the best place to witness the solar eclipse by NASA. Hence, Taregana attracted the maximum number of tourists and scientists. However, man proposes and God disposes. The dark clouds which blotted out the view in many parts of the country, played spoil sport at Taregana too, thus disappointing the people who had gathered there. The spectacular solar eclipse was witnessed in full glory in Agra, the city of Taj Mahal and the holy city of Varanasi.
The next solar eclipse of such a long duration is expected on 13th June, 2132.
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