Patna, July 20 - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is upbeat about watching the total solar eclipse Wednesday along with scientists from across the world at Taregana village, one of the best places in India to view the celestial spectacle.

'I am really upbeat to watch the total solar eclipse along with astro-physicists, scientists and researchers ... a lifetime opportunity,' Nitish Kumar said here Monday.

The engineer-turned-politician stressed that the state government would provide all facilities to scientists and others coming to Taregana to study and view the century's longest solar eclipse.

The chief minister, along with a team of top officials, visited Taregana, about 35 km from here, Sunday to review the preparations.

The total eclipse, starting a little after sunrise, is expected to last three minutes and 48 seconds at Taregana. According to the NASA forecast based on satellite imagery, the sky over the region is likely to be less cloudy than others along the path of the total solar eclipse. So it may offer one of the best views of the celestial phenomenon.