Hangzhou, China, July 22, 2009--A woman and her poodle wear special glasses designed for safe viewing during a total solar eclipse. The eclipse's narrow path crossed a long swath of the Asian mainland on Wednesday, spurring enthusiasts from around the world to flock to the region to witness the event. (Read the full story.)

China experienced the longest-lasting period of totality--when the moon seemed to completely cover the sun--that occurred over the mainland. A handful of islands in the South Pacific enjoyed the longest time spent in the moon's shadow.