North Queensland was in darkness for about two minutes during a total eclipse on Wednesday morning.
North Queensland was in darkness for about two minutes during a total eclipse on Wednesday morning.
AAP reports that north Queensland went from day to night for two minutes shortly before 6am (AEST), as the moon crossed between earth and the sun.
It was the first full solar eclipse visible from Australia since 2002 - and that was only in the nation's south.
About 60,000 people had travelled to Cairns and parts north to watch the solar spectacle. AAP reports hot air balloons full of astronomy lovers dotted the skies.
Dr Stuart Ryder, from the Australian Astronomical Observatory, said it took the moon about an hour to pass from first contact, when it begins to cross the sun's path, to totality, when the sun is completely obscured.
During those few minutes of totality, it looked like a moonlit night.
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Many indigenous groups, including in Arnhem Land were watching the event which has deep spiritual meaning for them.
"Most Aboriginal cultures believe the sun is female and the moon is male," Indigenous astronomy expert Duane Hamacher said. He was on a hilltop near the Cairns airport.
"Some believe the sun is in love with the man but he does not reciprocate these feelings so the sun chases him around the sky.
"On rare occasions, she manages to grab him and in a jealous rage tries to kill him but he convinces the spirits that hold up the sky to save him, which they do."
Spectator Ben Woodward said the temperature dropped, the sky went darker and birds went quiet when the eclipse reached totality.
"It was an eerie feeling and the temperature dropped but the sky didn't go completely dark. It looked like dusk," Mr Woodward, from Cairns Wildlife Dome, told AAP.
"The view was obstructed by a large cloud but there were moments where you could see the eclipse occurring."
He said a lot of cameras had been positioned in the wildlife park to record how the animals reacted.
"Several wildlife keepers have said a lot of the birds fell asleep."
AAP ealier reported the event was the first full solar eclipse visible from Australia since 2002, which was visible only in the south.
The next solar eclipse to be visible from Australia is expected on May next year, but AAP reports it will only be an annular eclipse (where the sun is still visible around the edges of the moon).
