Mesmerizing images as the total solar eclipse travels over Southeast Asia

 By 
Ariel Bogle
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

On Wednesday local time, a total solar eclipse made its way across the sky over the Pacific Ocean.

Millions of people in Southeast Asia had the chance to see a partial solar eclipse, while the path of totality made its way over parts of Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and kilometres of ocean. A partial phase of the eclipse was also visible from western and northern Australia, as well as American Samoa, Hawaii, Alaska and other areas.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, temporarily blocking out the giant star's light and casting a shadow on the Earth.

Armed with protective eyewear -- looking at a solar eclipse without protection can cause serious damage to the eyes -- schoolchildren, fishermen and commuters raised their eyes to the sky to the first of 2016's two solar eclipses.

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