SYDNEY, Nov 23: Hundreds of scientists and tourists were preparing to head south on Sunday for a chance to glimpse one of the year’s unusual sights — a rare solar eclipse over Antarctica.

The moon will mask the sun completely at 2249 GMT on Sunday over a bleak spot on the sourthern continent, halfway between South Africa and New Zealand.

The phenomenon will only be visible from a narrow stretch of Antarctica and the adjacent ocean. It will be the first time an eclipse of the midnight sun will be witnessed in Antarctica.

Jay Pasachoff, professor of astronomy at Williams College in the US, hopes he will be among those catching a glimpse. He will be on board a flight carrying tourists and researchers, as well a colleague from the University of Arizona.—AFP