Last updated: 22 july, 2009 - 12:41 GMT
Longest eclipse passes across Asia
Millions of people across Asia have been plunged into darkness by the longest total solar eclipse of this century.
Many Indians believe the solar eclipse is a harbinger of disharmony
The shadow cast as the moon obscured the sun was observed across parts of India, China and Japan.
Some places experienced the eclipse for more than 6½ minutes.
Scientists say it will be more than a hundred years before there is such a long eclipse again.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder went on a special flight above India to view it.
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The eclipse passed across highly populated areas, although many cities experienced the darkness of the total eclipse under cloudy skies.
People in the city of Anji in China were lucky enough to get a clear view. Astronomer Pete Lawrence was there.
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First broadcast 22 July 2009
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