Mother Nature turns out the lights in western China

The Associated Press put it this way: "Finally, China had an act of nature it could celebrate."

Today's total eclipse of the sun was a welcome gift after the devastating earthquake in May, unusually heavy snowstorms during the winter months, deadly river floods during the spring and a huge algae bloom a few weeks ago where the Beijing Games sailing is to occur.

The eclipse was visible from Xian, an ancient walled city that is also a terminus of the ancient Silk Road. “Listen, I think everyone hopes this will bring some luck,” said Xiao Ning, one of hundreds who watched the Friday eclipse in Xian. The eclipse began in the Canadian Arctic, then passed over Greenland, western Siberia and Mongolia before reaching China.

-- Greg Johnson

Photo: China's western provinces witnessed a total solar eclipse on Friday. Here is the view from Xian, an ancient walled city. Credit: Associated Press