North Americans are missing out, but elsewhere in the world, millions of people spent part of today oohing and aahing over a total eclipse of the sun. These happen only once every year and a half, on average - though the last one, in 2003, could only be seen from Antarctica.

Visible along a swath of the Earth from Brazil to Mongolia, the total eclipse brought out throngs of viewers wearing those funny cardboard glasses. A total eclipse happens when the moon comes between the sun and the Earth at just the right angle. For everything you could ever want to know about it, click here. A partial eclipse could be seen from a greater area of the planet - though still not by us poor slobs here in the U.S.

People traveled from far and wide to ideal viewing spots in Turkey, Ghana, and elsewhere, with accommodations booked months in advance. Web sites advertised entire trips built around viewing the eclipse.

The next total solar eclipse happens on August 1, 2008 and will be visible from North America.

Photo credit: TurkeyCentral.com