A total solar eclipse occurred on March 4, 1802. 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.The eclipse was visible in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica, while the totality was seen in Australia and Antarctica.[1]