An annular eclipse of the sun covering over 500 kilometers will appear on January 15, Yangtze River Daily reported on Saturday. People in more than 10 provinces of China will be able to witness the astronomical phenomenon, in which a bright halo will surround the moon.

The eclipse is estimated to last a record 11 minutes and 8 seconds, beginning at 15:31 on January 15. It will be visible in provinces that include Yunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei, Henan, Jiangsu and Shandong. People in Chongqing municipality will also see it then.

An eclipse lasting longer than this one won't happen until 3043, an expert said.