The longest solar eclipse of the century

Earlier today, the moon passed directly in front of the sun, causing a total solar eclipse that crossed nearly half the Earth - through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. Today's was the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, lasting as much as 6 minutes and 39 seconds in a few areas. Despite cloudy skies in many of the populated areas in the path, millions of people gathered outside to gaze up and view this rare event





Hindu devotees observe a solar eclipse through specially-designed viewing glasses as they take holy dips in the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Sarawati River, in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2009.













A red crescent of sun is visible during a total solar eclipse seen above Varanasi












The sun's edge, or limb, peeks out from behind the moon during a total solar eclipse above Varanasi, India










Hindu devotees gather along the banks of the River Ganges to watch the total solar eclipse in the northern Indian city of Varanasi















Children watch a solar eclipse through protective glasses outside a planetarium in Taipei, Taiwan












A partial solar eclipse is seen beyond a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the southern Indian city of Chennai, India











An aircraft flies past the sun during a solar eclipse above New Delhi, India














The moon passes between the sun and the earth, nearing a total solar eclipse, as seen in Changsha, Hunan province, China












People congregate on the banks of the River Ganges watching a total solar eclipse in Varanasi, India