A total solar eclipse plunged Antarctica from summer into darkness early Saturday in a rare astronomical spectacle witnessed by a handful of scientists and thrill-seekers\u2014and countless penguins.<\/b>
\nDecember 4,2021 A total solar eclipse plunged Antarctica from summer into darkness early Saturday in a rare astronomical spectacle witnessed by a handful of scientists and thrill-seekers\u2014and countless penguins. \u00ab\u00a0The visibility was excellent,\u00a0\u00bb said Raul Cordero of the University of Santiago de Chile (USACH), who was on site to witness \u00ab\u00a0totality\u00a0\u00bb at 0746 GMT, with the \u00ab\u00a0ring of fire\u00a0\u00bb phase lasting just over 40 seconds. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on Earth. For the eclipse to be total, the Sun, Moon and Earth must be directly aligned. Totality was visible only in Antarctica, experienced by a small number of scientists, experts and adventure tourists\u2014who paid some $40,000 for the privilege. Streamed live by NASA from the Union Glacier camp in Antarctica, the eclipse began at 0700 GMT as the Moon began to move in front of the Sun, coming to an end at 0806 GMT. The Union Glacier camp is situated about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) north of the South Pole. According to NASA, a partial eclipse was also visible across parts of the southern hemisphere, including parts of Saint Helena, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand and Australia. The last total solar eclipse in Antarctica occurred on November 23,2003 and the next one will not be until 2039. An annular solar eclipse \u2014in which the Moon obscures all but an outer ring of the Sun\u2014is set to sweep across North America in October 2023, followed by a total eclipse in April 2024. \u00a9 2021 AFP Dec 03,2021 0 Dec 03,2021 0 Dec 03,2021 0 Dec 02,2021 0 Dec 02,2021 0 13 hours ago 13 hours ago 23 hours ago 23 hours ago 23 hours ago Dec 03,2021 Dec 03,2021 Nov 16,2021 Jun 10,2021 Jun 10,2021 Dec 03,2021 Nov 18,2021 Feb 28,2017 Dec 03,2021 Dec 03,2021 Dec 03,2021 Dec 02,2021 Nov 30,2021 Nov 30,2021<\/p>\n