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EVENTS IN SIBERIA, RUSSIA

Total Solar Eclipse in Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia, 2008 August 01

Millions of skywatchers could witness the celestial sight across a wide swath of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where the partial phase of the eclipse was visible. But the total phase - where the moon's disk covers the sun's disk completely - could be seen only along a narrow track.

Novosibirsk, Russia's third-largest city, was one of the biggest population centers in the path of totality. Thousands of people mixed awe with excitement as day turned into night. All gazed in wonder as an eerie silence descended on the Siberian city, and gushes of unusually strong wind tore through the crowd of skywatchers. Birds stopped chirping and the temperature suddenly dropped.

"It's very dramatic and awe-inspiring when the darkness suddenly comes. That's why thousands of tourists go to see," said Jay Pasachoff, a professor at Williams College who traveled to Novosibirsk for his 47th eclipse.

In the remote Siberian settlement of Berezovaya Katun, near Russia's border with China, a large crowd of tourists clapped and cheered as organizers released thousands of balloons into the darkened sky.

Pictures of solar eclipse - Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia, August 01

A few moments before total solar eclipse. Thousands of people mixed awe with excitement as day was turning into night.

Total solar eclipse. It's very dramatic and awe-inspiring when the darkness suddenly comes.

A few moments after total solar eclipse. It's all over now. The day returns...

The eclipse pictures were taken by my wife, Eugenia Besedina, without any special equipment, just as we were watching it.