Total Solar eclipse today, partially visible in India

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) A total solar eclipse will occur this afternoon and will be partially visible in many parts of the country.

The eclipse would begin at 1405 hrs at a point in North East Brazil and end at a point near the Russia-Mongolia border.

However, it would be visible at various places in North and North East India in its later part from 1620 hrs till sunset.

Many organisations, including the Nehru Planetarium here have made arrangements for people to enjoy the view of the rare celestial happening.

The eclipse would be visible in Brazil, Ghana, Togo, Benin,Nigeria, Niger, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Georgia, Russia and Kazakhstan.

Urging people not to heed to superstitions, the experts have advised the people to view the eclipse only through solar filters or specially designed binoculars, telescopes and cameras. Viewing the event through dark glasses or photo films could harm the eyes, they added.

Special arrangements have also been made at several places, including the national capital, for people to take bath in rivers on the occasion.

A lunar eclipse also occurred this month, coinciding with the Holi festival. It is one of the rare occasions when both lunar and solar eclipse occurred in the same month.

UNI IP CS RAI1056