Starting in the South Pacific, the track of a total solar eclipse moved across northern Chile and then crossed the Andes into Argentina. Due to clear skies, eclipse chasers and watchers were reportedly treated to an excellent view in Chile. Maximum totality lasted just ovfer four and a half minutes beginning at 1924 GMT on 2 July. During a total eclipse, the moon blocks the light of the sun, allowing the sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) to be viewed. For the superstitious, a total eclipse is thought to be a portent of war and political change.