Solar Eclipse 2024: When Was the Last Surya Grahan Visible in India and When’s Next?

The first solar eclipse or Surya Grahan of 2024 is set to occur on April 8, Monday. According to NASA’s website, it will be a total solar eclipse, offering a celestial spectacle for skywatchers in North America, including Mexico, the United States, and Canada, as well as in Western Europe, the Atlantic, the Pacific, Central America, the Arctic, and the northern reaches of South America, England, and Ireland.

During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth that can partially or completely block the Sun’s light. This total solar eclipse follows the year’s first lunar eclipse on March 25, 2024, promising a captivating astronomical event.

However, this rare celestial phenomenon will not be visible in India. The last annular solar eclipse observed in India occurred on December 26, 2019, and lasted for three minutes and 39 seconds. This event was also visible in parts of Asia and Australia, including Saudi Arabia, Sumatra, and Borneo.

As for the next solar eclipse visible in India, stargazers will have to wait until May 21, 2031. The upcoming annular solar eclipse will be visible across several Indian cities, including Kochi, Alappuzha, Chalakudy, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Painavu, Gudalur (Theni), Theni, Madurai, Ilaiyangudi, Karaikudi, and Vedaranyam. The “ring of fire” will adorn the skies of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with the eclipse reaching its maximum coverage of around 28.87 per cent of the Sun.