This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20307900
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Thousands gather for Australia solar eclipse | Thousands gather for Australia solar eclipse |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Tens of thousands have gathered in northern Australia in the hope of glimpsing a rare total solar eclipse. | Tens of thousands have gathered in northern Australia in the hope of glimpsing a rare total solar eclipse. |
| The eclipse is expected to plunge parts of Queensland into darkness for just over two minutes on Wednesday morning. | The eclipse is expected to plunge parts of Queensland into darkness for just over two minutes on Wednesday morning. |
| However, onlookers fear cloudy weather will dash their chances of seeing the phenomenon. | However, onlookers fear cloudy weather will dash their chances of seeing the phenomenon. |
| A partial eclipse would be visible from other parts of the region, including New Zealand and eastern Indonesia, the Associated Press said. | A partial eclipse would be visible from other parts of the region, including New Zealand and eastern Indonesia, the Associated Press said. |
| However northern Australia is the only area in the eclipse's direct path. | However northern Australia is the only area in the eclipse's direct path. |
| The total eclipse will be most clearly visible in Cairns, while areas such as Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney will also see partial eclipses, an ABC News eclipse guide said. | The total eclipse will be most clearly visible in Cairns, while areas such as Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney will also see partial eclipses, an ABC News eclipse guide said. |
| Australian tour operators have welcomed the surge in holiday-makers, with reports of some hotels being booked up more than three years in advance. | Australian tour operators have welcomed the surge in holiday-makers, with reports of some hotels being booked up more than three years in advance. |
| A total solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, is a rare occurrence, and animals have been known to react to the sudden darkness with confusion. | A total solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, is a rare occurrence, and animals have been known to react to the sudden darkness with confusion. |
| Scientists will be using underwater cameras at the Great Barrier Reef to capture creatures' reactions to the eclipse. | Scientists will be using underwater cameras at the Great Barrier Reef to capture creatures' reactions to the eclipse. |
| "It's an unknown with how they'll react," Jeff Gillies, Queensland Tourism's regional director, said. "A little bit of flora and fauna confusion, I would imagine." | "It's an unknown with how they'll react," Jeff Gillies, Queensland Tourism's regional director, said. "A little bit of flora and fauna confusion, I would imagine." |
| Birds could also be affected, reports said. | Birds could also be affected, reports said. |
| "This is a relatively short eclipse but we will still find even in a short space birds will fall asleep," said Dick Cijffers, an eclipse tourism operator. | "This is a relatively short eclipse but we will still find even in a short space birds will fall asleep," said Dick Cijffers, an eclipse tourism operator. |
| Are you in Australia? If you have any pictures of the eclipse, you can send them to us by using the form below | |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | |
| Read the terms and conditions |