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 1 Version 2
Thousands gather for Australia solar eclipse Australia solar eclipse delights thousands
(about 17 hours later)
Tens of thousands have gathered in northern Australia in the hope of glimpsing a rare total solar eclipse. Tens of thousands of tourists and astronomers gathered in northern Australia to glimpse 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, which occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, plunged parts of Queensland into darkness for just over two minutes.
However, onlookers fear cloudy weather will dash their chances of seeing the phenomenon. Estimates suggest the event, early on Wednesday, was viewed live by millions.
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 was expected in other parts of the region, including New Zealand and eastern Indonesia.
However northern Australia is the only area in the eclipse's direct path. The next total solar eclipse will not take place until March 2015.
The total eclipse will be most clearly visible in Cairns, while areas such as Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney will also see partial eclipses, an href="http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/11/07/3624663.htm" >ABC News eclipse guide said. Onlookers gathered at vantage points, in boats and on hot air balloons to witness the rare phenomenon.
Australian tour operators have welcomed the surge in holiday-makers, with reports of some hotels being booked up more than three years in advance. 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.
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. "Immediately before, I was thinking, 'Are we gonna see this?' And we just had a fantastic display - it was just beautiful," said Terry Cuttle, from the Astronomical Association of Queensland.
Scientists will be using underwater cameras at the Great Barrier Reef to capture creatures' reactions to the eclipse. "And right after it finished, the clouds came back again. It really adds to the drama of it."
"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 really cool. I've never seen anything like this before," one young spectator at Palm Cove said.
Birds could also be affected, reports said. Temperatures dropped as the shadow of the moon blocked the sun, and animals reacted to the eclipse with confusion.
"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. "Wow, insects and birds gone quiet," one tourist, Geoff Scott, tweeted.
Scientists were set to use footage from underwater cameras at the Great Barrier Reef to investigate creatures' reactions to the eclipse.
Australian tour operators welcomed the surge in holiday-makers, with reports of some hotels being booked up more than three years in advance.
State officials estimate that over 50,000 extra people visited Queensland to experience the phenomenon.
Are you in Australia? If you have any pictures of the eclipse, you can send them to us by using the form belowAre 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.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 conditionsRead the terms and conditions