The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century covered much of Asia in near darkness on Wednesday morning [Reuters] An eclipse is caused when the Moon covers the Sun completely to cast a shadow on Earth [Reuters] At its peak, the eclipse lasted six minutes and 39 seconds [Reuters] The eclipse was visible only in Asia, including in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China [Reuters] It is the longest such eclipse since 1991, when a total eclipse lasting six minutes and 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America [Reuters] Millions across Asia gathered to watch the phenomenon [Reuters] Wednesday's eclipse may end up being the most watched in history due to its path over the world's most densely populated areas [AFP]
![The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century covered much of Asia in near darkness on Wednesday morning [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/20097222485638734_20.jpeg?resize=375%2C250)
![An eclipse is caused when the Moon covers the Sun completely to cast a shadow on Earth [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/200972225336427580_20.jpeg)
![At its peak, the eclipse lasted six minutes and 39 seconds [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/20097223420850621_20.jpeg)
![The eclipse was visible only in Asia, including in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/200972224235770734_20.jpeg)
![It is the longest such eclipse since 1991, when a total eclipse lasting six minutes and 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/200972223656902734_20.jpeg)
![Millions across Asia gathered to watch the phenomenon [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/200972225943562580_20.jpeg)
![Wednesday's eclipse may end up being the most watched in history due to its path over the world's most densely populated areas [AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/200972235554179360_20.jpeg)
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