The moment of totality during the solar eclipse as seen in the southern Zimbabwe area...

The moment of totality during the solar eclipse as seen in the southern Zimbabwe area of Plumtree, 550 Km's south west of Harare, December 4, 2002. Skies darkened over southern Africa and [Australia] on Wednesday as a rare total solar eclipse raced across both continents, delighting astronomers, astounding tourists and confusing animals as day became night. The eclipse first touched African shores at around 0515 GMT as the moon moved in between the sun and the earth, blocking out the summer sunshine. Starting from Angola, the lunar shadow sped eastward across the continent at speeds greater than 5,000 km (3,125 miles) per hour, momentarily casting parts of [Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa] into darkness before heading out to sea at Xai-Xai in [Mozambique. The total eclipse touched southern Australia at 0910 GMT.]