The Longest Annular Solar Eclipse of the Millennium

 
                    Annular Solar Eclipse – 15 January 2010 (YouTube)

On January 15, 2009, millions gathered to watch the annular eclipse of the Sun. It was the longest annular solar eclipse of the millennium, and the longest until December 23, 3043.

According to The Hindu, the eclipse could be viewed in southern India for roughly eleven minutes.

“Over this southern tip, the eclipse, the like of which is expected again only in 3043, began at 11.14 a.m. and ended a little after 3 p.m. It was a spectacular sight when the photosphere of the sun was covered by the moon, forming a ring of fire in the sky for about 11 minutes and eight seconds.”

In the rest of India, only a partial eclipse was seen.

A total of 10 Rohini series indigenous sounding rockets were used Thursday and Friday to investigate the effects of the eclipse.