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).
