Solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse is seen in Varanasi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia from India to China into near darkness Wednesday as millions gathered to watch the phenomenon.

(AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

The first phase of the partial solar eclipse is seen at an observatory in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines on Wednesday July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swatch of Asia from India to china into near darkness as millions gathered to watch the phenomenon

Sun begins to partially eclipse over downtown Osaka, western Japan, Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions watched the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday.

The moon passes between the sun and the earth during a solar eclipse as seen in Chongqing municipality July 22, 2009

A total solar eclipse is seen from an aircraft over Patna, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions watched the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday

A partial solar eclipse is seen through clouds in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions watched the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday

A partial solar eclipse is seen in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions watched the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday

REFILE - ADDITIONAL CAPTION INFORMATION The sun emerges behind the moon just after totality during a total solar eclipse in North Iwojima island, Japan July 22, 2009. A total solar eclipse began its flight on Wednesday across a narrow swathe of Asia, where hundreds of millions of people watched the skies darken despite thick summer clouds. REUTERS/Kyodo (JAPAN ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY) JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. YES

A combination picture shows the sequence of a total solar eclipse as observed in Chongqing municipality July 22, 2009. The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century began its flight on Wednesday across a narrow path of Asia, where it was expected to darken the skies for millions of people for more than six minutes in some places

A partial solar eclipse is seen next to a mosque in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions watched the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday

The minaret of a mosque is silhouetted against a partial solar eclipse seen from Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions gathered to watch the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday

Aika Chiba, 10-month-old, falls asleep while wearing a pair of protective eyewear during a solar eclipse viewing event at the Sunshine International Aquarium in Tokyo July 22, 2009. A total solar eclipse began its flight on Wednesday across a narrow swathe of Asia, where hundreds of millions of people watched the skies darken despite thick summer clouds

The sun emerges after a total solar eclipse in Varanasi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia from India to China into near darkness Wednesday as millions gathered to watch the phenomenon.

A partial solar eclipse is seen through clouds at Tatsugou town in Amamioshima, southern Island of Japan, Wednesday, July 22 , 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia from India to China into near darkness Wednesday as millions gathered in the open to watch the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

A combination picture shows the Bund on the banks of the Huangpu River during the various stages of a total solar eclipse in Shanghai July 22, 2009. A total solar eclipse began its flight on Wednesday across a narrow path of Asia, where it was expected to darken the skies for millions of people for more than six minutes in some places. (Top to bottom - picture shows before, during and after the total solar eclipse.

The moon nearly covers the Sun during the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century in Dhaka. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century cast a shadow over much of Asia on Wednesday, plunging hundreds of millions into darkness across the giant land masses of India and China.