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Total solar eclipse captivates Asia Total solar eclipse captivates Asia and the Pacific
(35 minutes later)
Millions of people across Indonesia and the Pacific are witnessing a total solar eclipse. Millions of people across Indonesia and the Pacific have experienced a total solar eclipse, with parts of the region seeing a total blackout for hours.
As the eclipse reached totality, it blocked all direct sunlight, turning day into night.
In Indonesia's Belitung province, a crowd gathered on a beach and witnesses spoke of a "magical" experience.
At 06:19 local time (23:19 GMT Tuesday), the Moon started to pass directly in front of the Sun.At 06:19 local time (23:19 GMT Tuesday), the Moon started to pass directly in front of the Sun.
When it reaches totality, this will block all direct sunlight, turning day into night. The eclipse was total in Indonesia and the Central Pacific, while parts of Australia and east Asia experienced a partial one.
The eclipse will be total in Indonesia and the Central Pacific, while parts of Australia and east Asia will experience a partial one. At the scene: Ging Ginanjar, BBC Indonesian Service, Belitung, Indonesia
People along a 150km-wide strip running through Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi - the path of eclipse totality - will experience a blackout for about four hours on Wednesday morning. From before dawn, about 200 people gathered at Olivia beach to watch the eclipse. About 30 foreigners were in the crowd, travelling from Australia and Europe to see it.
Astronomers reiterated advice not to look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, or through a telescope. Experts recommend using either a professional solar filter in front of a telescope or camera, or special eclipse-viewing glasses. One of them was Wilma from Holland, who is a solar eclipse hunter and has seen the solar eclipse five times. She said that when the eclipse started an overwhelming feeling of peace came over her and she heard no sounds. It was a magical experience she said.
The total eclipse begins at 00:15 GMT, with the moment of maximum shadow at 01:59 GMT. When the solar eclipse started the crowd cheered and then went silent in awe. People were taking photos while others just watched in amazement. Then when it finished people clapped quietly. It was an incredible experience.
After the eclipse passed the fisherman pushed their boats out to sea as there will be a fishing festival here to celebrate with boat races. Across the island other people prayed in mosques, churches and temples.
People along a 150km-wide strip running through Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi - the path of eclipse totality - experienced a blackout for about four hours on Wednesday morning.
Astronomers reiterated advice not to look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, or through a telescope. Experts recommended using either a professional solar filter in front of a telescope or camera, or special eclipse-viewing glasses.
The total eclipse began at 00:15 GMT, with the moment of maximum shadow at 01:59 GMT.
The celestial event will end at sunset, local time, north of Hawaii (04:34 GMT).The celestial event will end at sunset, local time, north of Hawaii (04:34 GMT).
Because the eclipse path crosses the International Date Line, in the local time zones it begins on Wednesday 9 March and ends on Tuesday 8 March.Because the eclipse path crosses the International Date Line, in the local time zones it begins on Wednesday 9 March and ends on Tuesday 8 March.
Skywatchers in southern China, south-east Asia, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska will experience a partial eclipse when the Moon's penumbra - the outer region of the shadow - catches them. This will look as if a just a chunk of the Sun has been blacked out.Skywatchers in southern China, south-east Asia, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska will experience a partial eclipse when the Moon's penumbra - the outer region of the shadow - catches them. This will look as if a just a chunk of the Sun has been blacked out.
For eclipse watchers outside these regions, a number of astronomy institutes are hosting live streams of the event.For eclipse watchers outside these regions, a number of astronomy institutes are hosting live streams of the event.
Scientists at Nasa said they planned to use the event to study solar physics.Scientists at Nasa said they planned to use the event to study solar physics.
From Indonesia, they will use an instrument called a polarization camera to capture 59 exposures of the Sun in just over three minutes, collecting data on the innermost parts of the sun's volatile, superheated atmosphere.From Indonesia, they will use an instrument called a polarization camera to capture 59 exposures of the Sun in just over three minutes, collecting data on the innermost parts of the sun's volatile, superheated atmosphere.
This region can only be observed during total solar eclipses when the Sun's bright face is completely blocked by the Moon.This region can only be observed during total solar eclipses when the Sun's bright face is completely blocked by the Moon.
The lower part of the sun's atmosphere, the corona, is thought to hold the keys to several solar mysteries, including the birth of explosive clouds of solar material called coronal mass ejections and the mystery of why the corona is actually hotter than the surface.The lower part of the sun's atmosphere, the corona, is thought to hold the keys to several solar mysteries, including the birth of explosive clouds of solar material called coronal mass ejections and the mystery of why the corona is actually hotter than the surface.
"The Sun's atmosphere is where the interesting physics is," said Nelson Reginald, from Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland."The Sun's atmosphere is where the interesting physics is," said Nelson Reginald, from Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
The most recent total solar eclipse took place in the far northern hemisphere on 20 March 2015.The most recent total solar eclipse took place in the far northern hemisphere on 20 March 2015.
Are you experiencing this solar eclipse? If it is safe for you to do so - following the advice in this article - email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk to share your pictures and stories.Are you experiencing this solar eclipse? If it is safe for you to do so - following the advice in this article - email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk to share your pictures and stories.
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