Astronomy lovers are now witnessing the millenium's longest annular solar eclipse. The solar eclipse that began a little after 11. AM on Friday morning will continue till eleven minutes past three in the afternoon.<br/> <br/>The path of the annularity in India passes over Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mizoram while the partial phase of eclipse will be visible all over the country. Partial phases of this eclipse is being witnessed across the nation.<br/> <br/>In Tamil Nadu, thousands of people including scientists, research scholars and pilgrims converged at Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram and Dhanuskodi to watch the celestial spectacle of the millennium.<br/> <br/>The longest annular solar eclipse of the millennium began at 11.06 a.m. on Friday. Television sets have been set up at the viewing centre near the Public Works Department guesthouse in kanyakumari and a telescope has been connected to a plasma TV for people to watch the sequence of events.<br/> <br/>Seven telescopes have been set up in addition where facilities have been made to view the eclipse through pin hole and mirror projection.<br/> <br/>In Dhanuskodi, the spectacle is best seen and over 400 people have gathered at mukundarayarchtiram, to witness the longest annular solar eclipse.<br/> <br/>Scientists say that the last time India saw this 'Ring of Fire' was Nov 22, 1965, and it will not be witnessed again before June 21, 2020.<br/><br/><br/>AIR Correspondent reports, thousands of people gathered in the coastal districts of Kanyakumari and Ramanthapuram to watch the rare spectacle. <br/> <br/>Scientists and research scholars who had gathered in the remote Mukundarayarchaitram, off Dhanuskodi could take pride as they were best placed to witness eclipse reaching its totality. <br/> <br/>People were glued to their telescopes and those who did not have the privilege, sported specially designed sun glasses to watch the ring of fire, a rarest of rare events. It occurred at 1.35 on Friday afternoon at this point, as over a thousand people rejoiced to be a part of the happening. <br/> <br/>The beaches along the coast in Tamil Nadu also saw hordes of people gathering to watch the event. Having witnessed the eclipse pilgrims have begun their holy dip.<br/> <br/>A rare and longest annular solar eclipse of this millennium has generated curiosity among scientists and general public in Bangalore too. Various scientific institutions like Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Vishveshwarayya Museum, ISRO and Indian Institute of Science have arranged public viewing of the eclipse. <br/> <br/>AIR correspondent reports, several 100 people have congregated in the observatories and scientific institutions in Bangalore to view the rare spectacle when Sun looks like very brightly lit thin rim with a dark central part covered by moon. <br/> <br/>In Bangalore 80 to 85 percent of eclipse is visible. It started at 11.15 am and reaches maximum level at 1.23 afternoon and end at 3.00 pm. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium has arranged five telescopes, several welding glasses, pin hole cameras, sun spotters and screens on which the eclipse image is reflected for the public to view. <br/> <br/>ISRO has launched several Rohini sounding Rockets from Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram to investigate the affects of the solar eclipse on the atmosphere. <br/> <br/>ISRO sources said sudden cut of solar radiation reducing temperature provides unique opportunity to study the solar eclipse effects in the noon time. Astrophysics Institute in Bangalore is also studying the solar corona during the eclipse.<br/> <br/>Sky watchers in Delhi began viewing the partial phase of the solar eclipse from 11.53 a.m. which will continue till 3.11 p.m. The maximum of the eclipse of 53 percent will be at 1.39 p.m. <br/> <br/>Various places in the capital like the Nehru Planetarium and the Amateur Astronomers Association have made arrangements for people to watch the celestial sight Jan 15. <br/> <br/>In Nehru planetarium of in the National Capital a large number of children and science enthusiasts have gathered to witness the celestial phenomenon. Scientists here are advising not to see the eclipse with naked eyes as it may harm their eyesight. <br/> <br/>They are suggesting using special goggles meant for the purpose. We talked to scientist Dr Pankaj Sharma on the importance of the eclipse.<br/> <br/>With the availability of modern gadgets, the superstitions attached with the eclipse are now giving way to curiosity and keenness for deep insight. <br/> <br/>In Haridwar, most of the devotees have stayed away from the Harki Pauri due to solar eclipse. They are likely to take dip in the Ganga when the eclipse is over. <br/> <br/>Chief Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank visited the town in the morning. Meanwhile, security are on alert to avoid any untoward situation.<br/><br/>AIR Allahabad correspondent reports that, on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya and solar eclipse, huge rush of devotees are being seen at the vairous Ghats of Samngam since Friday morning. <br/> <br/>According to the mela administration about 35 lakh people took holy dip till noon.<br/><br/>