A small group of Australians in Antarctica enjoyed a spectacular view of the partial solar eclipse yesterday.

The Casey station expeditioners were thrilled to have mostly clear skies and a chilly minus 18 degree Celsius temperature to watch the eclipse over a sea of icebergs in Newcomb Bay.

The annular eclipse occurred about 1,000 kilometres south-east of Casey, resulting in 96% of the sun’s diameter being obscured at the station and only a thin crescent appearing below the dark moon.

Cloudy skies across much of Australia meant many people missed out on seeing the rare event where the moon crosses in front of the sun.