Near-Total Solar Eclipse To Be Visible In Korea, Asia Pacific Region On July 22

Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - A near-total solar eclipse will be visible in the entire Korean peninsula and parts of the Asia-Pacific region on July 22, South Korea's astronomical institute has said.

The partial eclipse, which will block 80 percent of the sun, will last two-and-a-half hours from 9.34 a.m., said the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute on Thursday, according to Chosun.com.

"More of the sun will be blocked the further south it is observed, with 93 percent cloaked from Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Some parts of the Asia Pacific regions will get a full eclipse," the institute said.

Indian news site Newkerala.com has dubbed the partial solar eclipse as having the longest duration in the 21st century. The shadow of the Moon touches the Earth at local sunrise at a point in the Arabian Sea close to the western coast of India and passes through southeastern Nepal, North Bengal, southern Sikkim, Bhutan, northwestern Bangladesh, Assam, Myanmar, China, Japan's Ryuku Islands, North Pacific Ocean and Polynesia.