Solar eclipse of March 25, 1857

A total solar eclipse occurred on March 25, 1857. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality began at sunrise over southeastern Australia on March 26 (Thursday), crossing the Pacific Ocean, and ended near sunset across Mexico on March 25 (Wednesday).