This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24793350
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rare solar eclipse in America, Europe and Africa | Rare solar eclipse in America, Europe and Africa |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A rare solar eclipse allowing a view of the Sun that is totally or partially blocked out by the Moon is under way. | |
| It was first visible in the southern United States, and is moving east. The best view of the total eclipse on land will be in Gabon at about 13:50 GMT. | |
| The total eclipse will then sweep east across the African continent. Partial views will be available in eastern North America and southern Europe. | The total eclipse will then sweep east across the African continent. Partial views will be available in eastern North America and southern Europe. |
| Experts warn that no-one should attempt to view the Sun with the naked eye. | Experts warn that no-one should attempt to view the Sun with the naked eye. |
| A safe view of eclipses can be obtained by using special welder's glasses or a pinhole camera. | A safe view of eclipses can be obtained by using special welder's glasses or a pinhole camera. |
| Halo | Halo |
| This solar eclipse is a rare occurrence in that it is "hybrid" - switching between an annular and total eclipse. | This solar eclipse is a rare occurrence in that it is "hybrid" - switching between an annular and total eclipse. |
| In a total eclipse, the Moon completely covers the sun, while an annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is at its farthest from the Earth and does not block out the Sun completely, leaving a halo of sunlight still visible around the Moon. | In a total eclipse, the Moon completely covers the sun, while an annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is at its farthest from the Earth and does not block out the Sun completely, leaving a halo of sunlight still visible around the Moon. |
| The eclipse event began about 1,000km (620 miles) east of Jacksonville, Florida with an annular eclipse visible for four seconds at sunrise. | |
| As the Moon's shadow raced east the eclipse switched from annular to total along a narrow corridor. | |
| The greatest total eclipse occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 330km south-west of Liberia, and lasted for more than one minute. | |
| On land, the best total eclipse will be visible in Gabon at 13:51 GMT, Nasa said. | |
| "The eclipse will then continue across Africa through the Congos until it passes through northern Uganda and northern Kenya, ending in southern Ethiopia and Somalia," said the International Astronomical Union. | "The eclipse will then continue across Africa through the Congos until it passes through northern Uganda and northern Kenya, ending in southern Ethiopia and Somalia," said the International Astronomical Union. |
| Either side, a partial eclipse will be seen within a much broader path including eastern North America, northern South America, southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. | Either side, a partial eclipse will be seen within a much broader path including eastern North America, northern South America, southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |