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Stunning shots of the 2012 total solar eclipse (pictures)

We gather some extraordinary images of the total solar eclipse (and a few partial views) from Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.

Christopher MacManus
Crave contributor Christopher MacManus regularly spends his time exploring the latest in science, gaming, and geek culture -- aiming to provide a fun and informative look at some of the most marvelous subjects from around the world.
Christopher MacManus
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1 of 12 Christian Fernando Cisternas Smith

Spectacular sun

Yesterday, on November 13, several parts of the world witnessed a total solar eclipse -- a rare phenomenon where the moon passes between the Earth and the sun.

Many people didn't get a chance to personally witness the full effect of the eclipse this year unless they watched it online. The 108-mile-wide and 9,000-mile-long path of totality -- the strip of land (and sea) that witnesses the full effect of 2012's solar eclipse -- only occurred at the northern tip of Australia, various countries in the South Pacific Ocean, and near Chile.

CNET dug around to find some great online images of the astronomy anomaly, and we've gotten permission to share them.

Christian Fernando Cisternas Smith snapped this colorful picture of a partial solar eclipse setting near a building under construction in Santiago, Chile.

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2 of 12 WillDL

Haunted glow

Australian resident WillDL's photo of the total solar eclipse has a mesmerizing, spooky cast. He captured the climactic moment at Trinity Beach in Cairns, Australia.
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3 of 12 Shane Mortimer

Moon commune

This unusual double-exposure picture by Shane Mortimer gives a unique view of the total solar eclipse. Mortimer snapped the photo in Pormpuraaw, Australia.
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4 of 12 Scott Dawson

Paranormal paradise

The beaches of Port Douglas, Australia, briefly held this special morning view of the total solar eclipse, captured by Scott Dawson.

"It was quite a battle getting a good pic," Dawn told CNET. "The clouds were doing their best to hide the show. I had less than 30 seconds to get that one and wouldn't you know it most of clouds went away a few hours later.

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5 of 12 Alejandra Garcia

Soft sun

The 2012 solar eclipse provided a sensational glimpse of the sun -- full of reds and oranges -- for Alejandra Garcia in Auckland, New Zealand.
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6 of 12 Jon Clark

Surreal sunrise

Jon Clark witnessed this crescent sun -- shaped by the solar eclipse -- rising near the coast of Lee Point, Australia. Clark, who woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get the picture, says he felt "a little tired" that morning. We think it was worth the effort!
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7 of 12 Shaun Fletcher

Up close and personal

This highly detailed image of a partial solar eclipse came from Shaun Fletcher of the Stardome Observatory in Auckland, New Zealand.
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8 of 12 Patricia Woods

Mirror image

Photographer Patricia Woods looks at the solar eclipse in Brisbane, Australia, through the viewfinder of her Canon 7D.
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9 of 12 Peter Hegarty

Solar series

Peter Hegarty stitched together the progression of the solar eclipse as seen from Brisbane, Australia, where the eclipse effect reached around 83 percent at its fullest point. The red hue comes from the Lunt LS60THa solar scope attached to his camera.
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10 of 12 Cesar Gonzalez

Mountain view

A serene view of the partial solar eclipse occurred near the mountainous region that surrounds Santiago, Chile. This image was captured by Cesar Gonzalez.
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11 of 12 Nicholas Jones

Black sun

In Port Douglas, Australia, Nicholas Jones captured this amazing shot of the sun's inner corona and prominences appearing from behind the moon.
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12 of 12 Nicholas Jones

Dark day

Nicholas Jones also witnessed a perfect view of the total solar eclipse, and captured the unique moment where the moon only exposes a view of the sun's chromosphere and prominences.

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