Nov 13, 2012

The second solar eclipse of 2012 occured above northern Australia just moments ago giving thousands of observers in Queensland an early morning treat. The 2 minute and 5 second total eclipse welcomed the day as the moon crossed in front of the Sun just 14° above the eastern horizon.

Previously this year, the western U.S. was treated to a ‘ring of fire‘ eclipse in May. Today’s events came a decade after Australia’s last solar eclipse and were the first in the region in over 1,300 years.

: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

: A USA sticker is seen on telescopic camera equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

: Spectators line the beach to view the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Rain showers fall as tourists look at a cloudy sky as a full solar eclipse begins in the northern Australian city of Cairns November 14, 2012. (Tim Wimborne/Reuters)

: Spectators line the beach to view the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Near totality is seen during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Spectators use an eclipse viewer to watch the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Tourists watch as the moon blocks the sun as it approaches a full solar eclipse in the northern Australian city of Cairns November 14, 2012. (Tim Wimborne/Reuters)

: The Diamond Ring effect is shown following totality of the solar eclipse at Palm Cove in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland on November 14, 2012. (Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

: A spectator views the solar eclipse through special eclipse viewing glasses on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Totality is shown during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland on November 14, 2012. (Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images)