Australia solar eclipse delights thousands
14:56, 14 November 2012
LONDON. November 14. KAZINFORM Tens of thousands of tourists and astronomers gathered in northern Australia to glimpse a rare total solar eclipse.
The eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, plunged parts of Queensland into darkness for just over two minutes.
Estimates suggest the event, early on Wednesday, was viewed live by millions.
A partial eclipse was expected in other parts of the region, including New Zealand and eastern Indonesia.
The next total solar eclipse will not take place until March 2015.
Onlookers gathered at vantage points, in boats and on hot air balloons to witness the rare phenomenon.
There had been fears that cloudy weather would obscure the eclipse but the clouds parted just as it began, drawing cheers from the crowd as the full spectacle came into view.
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