The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century will take place on July 22. From almost everywhere in Vietnam people will be able to see a partial eclipse. The best locations for observation are Ha Giang province, Hanoi, HCM City and Can Tho.

The Vietnam Astronomy and Space Association’s Nguyen Duc Phuong said that the total eclipse will be witnessed within a 258km-wide strip running nearly half-way around the globe.

The phenomenon will first be observed in India, then Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, China and far out in the Pacific. A partial eclipse will be observed in a larger strip, including most of East Asia and the Pacific. In most of Vietnam, people will only be able to see a partial eclipse at around 8.11am.

The best location for observing the phenomenon in Vietnam is the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, with the maximum coverage of 75.8 percent, at 8.11am. The maximum coverage is smaller in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, with 25.5% at 8.11.40am, HCM City 27.4 percent at 8.13.04am, and Hanoi 67.5% at 8.11.50am.

The best site to observe the phenomenon in the world is in the Pacific Ocean, with the maximum time of 6.39 minutes, at 9.35am, Hanoi time. This will be the longest total solar eclipse in the 21^st century.

Phuong said that there are 2-5 solar eclipses a year but a total eclipse is rare. Some years don’t see total eclipses but some have as many as two. Total eclipses often take place within a very short time, rarely exceeding 7.31 minutes. There are only around 10 total eclipses of over 7 minutes every 1,000 years. The latest eclipse of 7.3 minutes was recorded on June 30, 1973.

PV