KATHMANDU, July 22: The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century was seen in Nepal from 5:45 am Wednesday morning. But Kathmandu Valley and some parts in the Eastern Region remained under cloud cover to the disappointment of many people who have gathered in several places to watch solar eclipse.
Expecting to see clear view of the eclipse, many astronomy enthusiasts flocked to Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in Khumaltar, Balmaki Campus and Kathmandu Mall to see the eclipse.
On the other hand, many people stayed indoors, giving in to superstitious myths about the phenomenon.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal also visited NAST to view the solar eclipse.
People in huge numbers poured in at famous religious places such as Devghat, Trishuli, Baghdwar and some other places to view the solar eclipse and take a bath after eclipse. Some people from Kathmandu even made their way to Eastern Region to watch the total solar eclipse.
Earlier, solar eclipse was seen from the country in 1955 and the next one will occur in 2184.
Scientists say that the moon eclipses the sun an average of 238 times every century and only 28 percent of those events are total eclipses, in which the sun is completely blocked from view.
Total solar eclipses occur when the moon comes between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.
Meanwhile in Bhadrapur, heavy cloud made it virtually impossible to see the total solar eclipse from Chandragadhi, Biratnagar and some other eastern areas this morning.
Heavy cloud cover and overnight rains spoiled the attempt of many astronomy enthusiasts to watch the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century.
Though people here waited desperately to watch the celestial wonder of the total eclipse shrouding the sun, thick cloud played spoilsport.
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