Photos: Sky darkens during last total solar eclipse of the decade

Millions of sky gazers were left in awe Tuesday as the moon blocked out the sun over Chile and Argentina -- a celestial event that drew worldwide attention.
The eclipse was only visible across the southern Pacific Ocean and South America, but people from around the world tuned in to watch it on NASA TV.
"I've traveled from the UK [and] this was my 1st eclipse," Carol Wright told AccuWeather. Wright watched the eclipse from an observatory from La Silla, Chile.
"It was the most incredible multi-sensory thing I’ve ever seen," Wright said. She lives in Hull, about 200 miles north of London. "I’m not sure seeing it more than once would ever be as good as the first time!"

The first place on the continent to see the total solar eclipse was La Serena, Chile, and the last place was just south of Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, clouds interfered with viewing the event from near Buenos Aires.
Totality lasted for a little more than 2 minutes for people that strategically placed themselves in this narrow area on Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, much of the balance of the continent witnessed a partial solar eclipse.


A lot happened in the two to two-and-a-half minutes during totality. The temperature dropped. Bright stars and planets appeared in the darkened sky. Crickets started chirping. Street lights turned on. Animals acted differently. Looking down at the horizon reveled a 360-degree sunrise/sunset. Then just two minutes later, the first beams of light shined down as the moon gradually uncovered the sun, and everything began to return to normal.