Millions of people across the United Kingdom and Europe turned their eyes to the skies on Wednesday to witness the region’s most spectacular solar eclipse in nearly three decades.
Skywatchers in the UK experienced a partial solar eclipse, with the event reaching its peak shortly after 7 p.m. BST as more than 90 per cent of the Sun was obscured by the Moon in many areas.
The eclipse was even more dramatic in parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, where observers witnessed a total solar eclipse that briefly plunged daylight into darkness.
Crowds gathered at parks, observatories and popular viewing sites across Europe, with many reacting in awe as the Moon gradually moved across the Sun. While clear skies provided excellent viewing conditions across much of southern England and Wales, cloud cover affected parts of Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.
Demand for certified eclipse glasses surged ahead of the event, leaving many retailers sold out. Some spectators instead used safe indirect viewing methods, including pinhole projectors made from household items, to observe the eclipse.
The eclipse began over northern Siberia before sweeping across the Arctic, Iceland and parts of Europe, drawing millions of viewers eager to witness the rare celestial event.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, partially or completely blocking the Sun’s light and casting a shadow over parts of the planet.
Scientists say the event was the most significant solar eclipse visible across the UK and much of Europe in almost 30 years, making it a once-in-a-generation spectacle for millions of observers.
