Solar eclipse: The best pictures from south-east Asia

Thousands gather to witness the rare natural phenomenon – and capture the moment for ever

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(Image credit: GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Swathes of south-east Asia were a little bit darker this morning due to a rare total solar eclipse. Parts of Indonesia saw the moon completely obscure the sun while areas of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia experienced a partial eclipse.

The eclipse passed through several time zones – including three in Indonesia alone – and was visible across a 8,700-mile span of south-east Asia and the Pacific. Hawaii is due to get the last look at the phenomenon, which will occur shortly before sunset.

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An eyewitness on the nearby Belitung Islands told the BBC that the sight was "magical".

Imams across the nation led their congregations through the Salaat al-Kusoof, a prayer specifically intended to be performed during a solar eclipse.

A partial eclipse could also be seen in Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, but locals in Perth were disappointed to see merely an edge of the sun vanish:

A Thai legend that says eclipses are caused by a demon named Rahu eating the sun didn't stop the people of Bangkok from setting up their telescopes to get a closer look:

Nepal and India also experienced a partial eclipse, as seen in this image taken near Kathmandu:

In Malaysia, schoolchildren used special glasses to protect their eyes as they gazed at the phenomenon:

But if you weren't lucky enough to witness the event, don't despair - Nasa captured the exact moment and shared it in stunning clarity in a video clip:

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