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Millions Gather for Longest Solar Eclipse in 21st Century

Millions of scientists, students and nature enthusiasts throughout China and other parts of Asia observed the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century on Wednesday.

Shuang Feng has more.

Reporter:

The eclipse passed over 40 cities across China, from the Tibet Autonomous Region to the coastal city of Shanghai, an area where 300 million people live.

Hundreds of millions of enthusiasts have gathered in open spaces in cities including Chengdu, Wuhan, and Shanghai for the grand celestial spectacle.

"I am excited. This is once in a lifetime. I got a photo and I can send this to friends."

"Such heavy fog - and thick clouds too! I didn't expect the sun to peep out like that, smiling at me. We were fortunate to have witnessed at least a part of it."

Despite the unfavorable weather along the solar eclipse path in China, many sky-gazers and photographers still chose to witness the eclipse with their own eyes.

"Generally speaking, normal telescopes are not proper for the observation. But we added a filter over its lenses. Light through the film would be dim enough for naked eyes."

In some parts of Asia, it lasted as long as 6 minutes and 39 seconds, the longest such eclipse since 1991. There will not be a longer eclipse than Wednesday's until 2132.

Astronomers hope the eclipse will unlock clues about the sun.