Hybrid solar eclipse draws thousands to remote Australian town

SYDNEY - A rare hybrid solar eclipse over a remote town on Australia's west coast drew thousands on Thursday (April 20) to witness the event.

Astronomy fans and enthusiasts from around the world travelled to Exmouth, a tiny beachside town roughly 1,200 kilometers from state capital Perth, to witness the total solar eclipse.

The moon crossed the sun for a minute at 11.29 am local time (0329 GMT), plunging viewers into darkness and dropping the temperature.

Thursday's eclipse was a rare "hybrid" type, not seen worldwide since 2013. In a hybrid eclipse, depending on where viewers stand, the moon either blots out the sun, a total eclipse, or obscures the centre while leaving a ring of light visible, an annular eclipse.

Peter Bartley made the 15-hour drive from Perth with his kids and father for the "special moment" together.

"It was a hard sell at the beginning because I told them it would only be for a minute and it was going to take 15 hours to get here," said Bartley.

"But it was probably the most exciting minute that we've had for a long time."

While the total eclipse was only visible from a few parts of Australia, Indonesia and Timor Leste, a partial eclipse was visible across all three countries and parts of southeast Asia.

In Jakarta, the light dimmed and the sun took on the appearance of a sickle moon, according to photos shares on social media.

A group of Japanese fans who had travelled to Exmouth burst into tears and hugged after the eclipse ended, according to video footage from the event.

"It felt so eerie, I've had shakes," said Catherine Holler, who had travelled from Perth.

ALSO READ: Astronomers astonished by ring around frigid distant world Quaoar