Solar eclipse: The best pictures from south-east Asia
Thousands gather to witness the rare natural phenomenon – and capture the moment for ever

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.
Locals and tourists in Palembang, South Sumatra, gathered just after 6am local time to be the first area to witness the sun disappear and the city plunge into daytime darkness.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
June 28 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include stupid wars, a critical media, and mask standards
-
Thai fish pie with crispy turmeric potatoes recipe
The Week Recommends Tasty twist on the Lancashire hot pot is given a golden glow
-
Palestine Action: protesters or terrorists?
Talking Point Damaging RAF equipment at Brize Norton blurs line between activism and sabotage, but proscription is a drastic step
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
The France-Indonesia push for an Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution
Talking Points Both countries have said a two-state solution is the way to end the Middle East conflict
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law