Total solar eclipses, a rare event, occur when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, and casts the darkest part of its shadow on Earth. You have to be in the right place at the right time for the sun, moon, and earth to be lined up just right.
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A solar eclipse is seen from the beach of Ternate island, Indonesia, March 9, 2016.
“It was spectacular”, said Daniel Orange, a 52-year-old American tourist from California, who was watching the total eclipse on the small western island of Belitung. But millions in Indonesia were able to see this once in a lifetime event. The whole eclipse lasted around three hours in Indonesia, but the total eclipse was visible for between just one and a half and three minutes, depending on location.
Skies appeared to be generally clear in the most popular viewing spots, although in some areas cloud partially obscured views.
NASA said prior to the eclipse that scientists would be using the phenomenon to study the sun’s atmosphere. As the total eclipse hit, the tribal chief-dressed in a traditional costume-began to chant loudly and was answered by even louder chants from other members of the tribe. Western Australia saw a partial eclipse from 8am whereas Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart unfortunately missed the eclipse. At the Singapore Science Centre, 3,000 people turned up to watch the eclipse through telescopes specially fitted with sun filters.
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As well as being seen in Sumatra, the eclipse will sweep across Sulawesi and Borneo and the Malukus before heading out over the ocean. Check out this photo of last night’s solar eclipse, it was taken aboard an Alaskan airlines flight.
