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Solar Eclipse In Northern Australia Witnessed By Thousands (PICTURES)

PHOTOS: Thousands Witness Total Solar Eclipse In Australia
Huffington Post UK
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Tens of thousands of people gathered in northern Australia early Wednesday morning to witness a rare solar eclipse.

The celestial phenomenon occurred in Tropical North Queensland as the moon passed briefly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking its light.

For just two minutes a 95-mile wide shadow was cast over Australia's Northern Territory, eliciting cheers from the thousands of astronomical enthusiasts who were relieved the rare sight was not be shrouded by cloud.

A partial eclipse could be seen in New Zealand and eastern Indonesia.

Take a look at the pictures below

Total Solar Eclipse 2012
Solar Eclipse Above Clouds(01 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech, Williams College)
Solar Eclipse From A Helicopter(02 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech, Williams College)
Solar Eclipse From A Helicopter(03 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech, Williams College)
Slowly Coming To An End(04 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(05 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: A spectator views the solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(06 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Near totality is seen during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Eclipse-Viewing Gear(07 of43)
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(credit:Twitter)
Eclipse Continues In Cairns, Australia(08 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(09 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Totality is seen during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Couple Gets Engaged During Eclipse(10 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
Eclipse Reaches Totality(11 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
AUSTRALIA-ASTRONOMY-ECLIPSE(12 of43)
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The Diamond Ring effect is shown following totality of the solar eclipse at Palm Cove in Australia's Tropical North Queensland on November 14, 2012. Eclipse-hunters have flocked to Queensland's tropical northeast to watch the region's first total solar eclipse in 1,300 years on November 14, which occurred as the moon passed between the earth and the sun, casting a shadow path on the globe and lasting for a maximum on the Australian mainland of 2 minutes and 5 seconds. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Over Miallo, Queensland, Australia(13 of43)
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(credit:Jay Pasachoff, Caltech and Williams College)
Solar Eclipse Over Cairns, Australia Nears Totality(14 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Starting To Get Good(15 of43)
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(credit:Panasonic Eclipse Live)
First Contact(16 of43)
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(credit:Twitter)
Eclipse Continues Over Great Barrier Reef, Australia(17 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(18 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: A young boy gets ready to view the solar eclipse with his telescope on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(19 of43)
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PALM COVE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: A spectator views the solar eclipse through a telescope on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Cairns, Australia(20 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Four Mile Beach(21 of43)
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(credit:Twitter)
Eclipse Begins Over Great Barrier Reef, Australia(22 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Crowds Get A Glimpse Of The Sun In Cairns, Australia(23 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Clouds Block The Sun In Cairns, Australia(24 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Cairns, Australia(25 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To Cairns, Australia(26 of43)
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(credit:Ustream: Cairns Eclipse 2012)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(27 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Terry Cuttle sets up telescopic cameras and computer equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(28 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A general view of seats set up over-looking the ocean to watch the total solar eclipse are seen on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(29 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(30 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Terry Cuttle demonstates the use of eclipse shades at a press conference at the Reef House resort in preparation for people to watch the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(31 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A telescopic camera is seen on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(32 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Walkers pass as telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(33 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(34 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Signage is seen for solar eclipse viewing glasses in preparation for people to watch the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(35 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Runners pass as telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(36 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Jonathan Bradshaw and Terry Cuttle set up telescopic cameras and computer equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(37 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(38 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Pairs of eclipse shades are seen in preparation for people to watch the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(39 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A USA sticker is seen on telescopic camera equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(40 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: A general view of people who have reserved a spot to view the total solar eclipse is seen on Palm Cove beach on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(41 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic equipment is seen on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(42 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Solar Eclipse Draws Crowds To North Queensland Vantage Points(43 of43)
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Terry Cuttle sets up telescopic cameras and computer equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. Thousands of eclipse-watchers have gathered in part of North Queensland to enjoy the solar eclipse, the first in Australia in a decade. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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