Annular solar eclipse begins in southernmost tip of India

NEW DELHI, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The longest annular solar eclipse of the millennium began at 11:06 a.m. local time Friday in Tamil Nadu city of Kanyakumari, located at the southernmost tip of the country, reported the Indo-Asian News Service.

Television sets have been set up at the viewing center near the Public Works Department guesthouse of the city, while a telescope has been connected to a plasma TV, the report said quoting a local official.

Around 750 students have come to Kanyakumari to witness the celestial spectacle, while around 150 security personnel have been deployed as they expect around 15,000 people to visit the viewing center, said the report.

Scientists also have gathered at Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram and nearby Danushkodi to witness and study this rare celestial phenomenon, said the report.