A rare solar eclipse has swept across the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, drawing large crowds of skywatchers, tourists and astronomy enthusiasts eager to witness the Moon move across the face of the Sun.
The eclipse became visible in Edinburgh at about 18:28 BST on Wednesday, with the event expected to peak at around 19:06 in the Scottish capital.
According to the BBC, people gathered at Calton Hill in Edinburgh watched as the Moon appeared to “take a bite out of the sun”, while sunspots were also visible through a telescope.
The eclipse was already fully underway in parts of Iceland and Greenland, while several other European countries were expected to witness a total eclipse.
More than 90 per cent of the Sun was expected to be covered by the Moon across most parts of the UK, making it the most significant solar eclipse visible from the country since 1999.
Large crowds gathered at viewing locations across the UK, while special eclipse glasses reportedly sold out in some areas as people prepared to safely watch the rare event.
Eclipse Moves From Russia Across Europe
The Moon first began blotting out the Sun at the northernmost tip of mainland Russia at about 17:00 GMT, leaving only the shimmering glow of the Sun’s outer corona and creating an eerie darkness.
The eclipse then moved through parts of Greenland and Iceland before reaching Europe, with excitement building in Spain as the eclipse’s narrow path stretched diagonally from the northwestern Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean Sea.
Tourists and enthusiasts thronged normally quiet Spanish villages to witness the event, as mainland Europe had not experienced a total solar eclipse for about 20 years, while Spain had not witnessed one in more than a century.
What Is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto Earth and temporarily blocking some or all of the Sun’s light from view.
Depending on the alignment, observers may experience a partial eclipse, when only part of the Sun is covered, or a total eclipse, when the Moon completely obscures the solar disc for a brief period along a narrow path.
Experts Warn Viewers
Experts warned people not to look directly at the Sun without appropriate eye protection because of the risk of serious and permanent eye damage.
The rare celestial event has also attracted scientists, with a group of Irish researchers planning to travel across the Atlantic to study the Sun’s corona during the eclipse.
The spectacular event has turned parts of the UK and Europe into major viewing points, giving millions of people the chance to witness one of nature’s most remarkable astronomical displays.
