Solar eclipse 2019 India: Can you see the eclipse in India? What time is the eclipse?

The first solar eclipse for two years takes place today. An eclipse is the cosmic consequence of the Moon travelling in front of the Sun, briefly blocking the light travelling from our solar system’s star. Only a handful of countries around the world will see the solar eclipse today. Unfortunately, India will miss out on the eclipse today but there are a multitude of live streams available to watch online.

What time is the eclipse from India?

At its longest, the solar eclipse is expected to last for four minutes and 33 seconds.

But the exact length of totality will differ between locations that will see the full eclipse.

The total eclipse will begin at 11.31pm India Standard Time (IST) on Tuesday, July 2.

And the eclipse will last until 12.52am IST on Wednesday, July 3, at the last location to witness the full eclipse.

READ MORE: What causes a lunar eclipse? Eclipse explained

Where will the eclipse be visible today?

The solar eclipse will be visible over a 125-mile (200km) wide path spanning from coast to coast across Chile and Argentina.

However, the maximum four minute and 33 second duration may be visible only to observers on boats and aeroplanes, as it will occur over the Pacific Ocean.

Countries including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Ecuador will be able to witness a partial eclipse, as only part of the Sun will be blocked.

Totality will first make landfall over Oeno Island, a British territory in the South Pacific Ocean, at 10.24am local time (7.24pm BST, 11.54pm IST).

READ MORE: What countries will see the solar eclipse on Tuesday?

The eclipse will reach the Chilean coast, near the city of La Serena at 4.39pm local time (8.39pm BST, 11.54pm IST).

The eclipse will skim over Cordoba and Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as Montevideo, Uruguay.

The eclipse will pass just south of these three cities before heading back out to the Atlantic Ocean just before sunset at 5.40pm local time (9.40pm BST, 2.10am IST).

Moving southeast, the Moon’s shadow will cross the Andes mountains and graze San Juan, Argentina, which lies just inside the path of totality.

READ MORE: How long will the solar eclipse last?

How to watch the 2019 solar eclipse:

If you are not in the area, the eclipse is being live streamed from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) which can be watched HERE.

This broadcast will, however, be impaired by bad weather although currently there is a 40 percent chance of a clear skies

The ESO webcast will begin at 8.15 BST (12.45 IST, 3.15pm EDT), one hour and 24 minutes before totality occurs.

Website Slooh will also be broadcasting the eclipse live, with commentary by astrophysicist Paige Godfrey via Slooh’s telescope partners in Chile.

However, this live stream is only available via Slooh’s paid membership, which begins at £3.91 ($4.95) per month.

For those lucky enough to witness the total solar eclipse in person, they should remember to wear eye protection.

Looking at the Sun’s rays can flood the retina at the back of the eyeball and cause it to become overstimulated, damaging the retina.

This can be painless, so often those who are looking at the Sun do not realise they are damaging their eyes.

Wearing specially designed sun filters or using pinhole viewers are safe ways to observe the eclipse in person.