Total eclipse of the Sun on July 22, longest in 500 years

China will see the longest total solar eclipse in 500 years on July 22, a scientist said Saturday.

The prime time of the total eclipse was expected to begin from 9 a.m. to 9:38 a.m. (Beijing Time), said Wang Sichao, a research fellow with the Nanjing-based Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 

"The total eclipse will last up to six minutes, or the longest one that can be seen in China in almost 500 years from 1814 to 2309," Wang said.

He said viewers in parts of 11 provinces in China's southwestern, central-southern and eastern areas, such as Tibet, Hunan and Jiangsu, will be able to witness the total solar eclipse, while in most parts of Shanghai, viewers can see the spectacular phenomenon.

For viewers in other provinces, including Beijing, they can observe a partial eclipse, he said.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is caught between the sun and the earth while each of them moves along their fixed orbits.

In a total solar eclipse, the sun, the moon and the earth are directly aligned as the sun swings into the cone of shadow cast by the moon.

Wang said the next total solar eclipse that can be seen in China will fall on March 20, 2034.

"But it can only be seen remote provinces, such as Tibet and Qinghai. It cannot not be compared with the upcoming one -- in terms of duration and number of cities that can see the eclipse," he added.

The last total solar eclipse visible in China took place on Aug. 1 last year. It was observed in northwest China and lasted two minutes in Yiwu County of northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the best place to see the phenomenon.

SOURCE: Xinhua News Agency

Apple Travel in Xiamen is organizing custom-made trips for you to various cities in China to observe this rare phenomenon You can book your reservation online at www.appletravel.cn or via its consultants in advance.

Domestic or International flight, hotel accommodation and tour guide (optional) can be arranged in advance to avoid last hour rush. As air tickets and hotels are limited, to avoid sold-out and disappointment, you are advised to making the booking now.

Leshan and Chengdu, being the least industrialized and most touristy, are the recommended destinations. Chances of clear sky and better sceneries are some of the advantages, while you are there, don’t forget to see the pandas and visit some of the nation’s best scenic spots.

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