Many parts of China experienced a partial solar eclipse on
Monday morning, lasting around one and a half hours, according to
the China National Astronomical Observatory.
In Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, the partial eclipse occurred
from 9:25 a.m. to 11?AM on Monday, in which the moon covered
about 20 percent of the sun, according to Wang Sichao, researcher
with Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory under the Chinese Academy
of Sciences.
Sky gazers in northeastern Jilin, central Henan, eastern
Shandong Provinces and northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
also witnessed the partial eclipse.
In western China, 70 percent of the sun was eclipsed but in
Beijing, however, cloudy and drizzly weather deprived enthusiasts
of the chance of seeing their first partial eclipse since 1997.
"Those who missed this one will have opportunities to see total
solar eclipses on August 1, 2008 and July 22, 2009, and a partial
eclipse on January 15, 2010," Wang said.
During the last century (1901- 1999), 78 partial and 71 total
solar eclipses have been reported worldwide.
Chinese astronomers are believed to have been the first to
record solar eclipses more than 3,000 years ago.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2007)
