watches a solar eclipse in the Indian city of Varanasi

A Japanese tourist watches a solar eclipse in the Indian city of Varanasi on July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century cast a shadow over much of Asia, plunging hundreds of millions into darkness across the giant land masses of India and China.



Thousand of Hindu devotees gather along the banks of the River Ganges to take a bath after a total solar eclipse in the Indian city of Varanasi on July 22, 2009. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century cast a shadow over much of Asia, plunging hundreds of millions into darkness across the giant land masses of India and China.