Eclipse draws tourists keen not to see the sun
Tens of thousands of tourists have flocked to cities and towns across northern Chile to watch a total solar eclipse.
Tens of thousands of tourists have flocked to cities and towns across northern Chile to watch a total solar eclipse.
Millions gazed at the cosmic spectacle that began at 10.24am local time on Tuesday (12.24am yesterday, AEST) in the South Pacific and swept along a path extending 11,000km across open waters to Chile and Argentina, the only places the total eclipse was seen.
The eclipse made its first landfall in Chile at La Serena, a city of 200,000 people where the arrival of more than 300,000 visitors forced the local water company to increase output and petrol stations to store extra fuel. Police and health services were also reinforced.
“I came to La Serena to watch the total eclipse with a friend following a recommendation,” said Stephanie Bouckurt from the US. “They told me that nothing compares to a solar eclipse, so that’s why we’re here. We’re super excited.”
Northern Chile is known for clear skies, and some of the largest, most powerful telescopes on Earth are being built in the area, turning the South American country into a global astronomy hub.
“In the past 50 years we’ve only had two eclipses going over observatories. When it happens and an observatory lies in the path of totality, it really is special for us,” said Elyar Sedaghati, an astronomer working as a fellow at the European Southern Observatory in Paranal, Chile.
“We can finally use our toys during the day because it’s always at night that we use them.”
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, and scores a bullseye by completely blocking out the sunlight.
AP
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