Spectacular Solar Eclipses Amaze Viewers Across the Globe.

A rare solar eclipse, known as a "ring of fire," was witnessed by thousands of people in Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor. The eclipse plunged part of Australia's northwest coast into brief midday darkness while temporarily cooling the tropical heat. The lucky few people in its path either saw the darkness of a total eclipse or a "ring of fire" as the sun peeked from behind the new moon. Such celestial events happen about once every decade, and the next one isn't until 2031.