LAST UPDATE | 10 Jun 2021

FOR SOME OF US, the view of this morning’s partial solar eclipse was somewhat limited due to cloudy skies – no surprise there really. 

But intermittent clear spells meant a lucky few were able to witness the spectacle and snap a photo. 

The astronomical event occurred just before 10am high in the morning sky as the moon moved in between the Earth and our star – finishing after midday. 

Skygazers in parts were able to see nearly a third of the sun being blocked out by the moon in what is known as an annular eclipse. An annular eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are exactly in line with the Earth, but the apparent size of the moon is smaller than that of the sun. This causes the sun to appear as a very bright ring, or annulus, in a phenomenon dubbed as the “ring of fire”.

But weather permitting, observers in Ireland saw a crescent sun instead of a ring – a partial eclipse.

Here’s what has been seen in Ireland so far:

The view by Sacred Heart Church, Carndonagh, Co Donegal. Mark Nolan Mark Nolan

Kilrush, Co Clare this morning John Glynn John Glynn

Clear skies over Bray, Co Wicklow A.Wyer A.Wyer

A light break in the heavy clouds over Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny. Andrea Doyle Andrea Doyle

A quick glimpse from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. Michael Nolan Michael Nolan

Ideal viewing in Ashtown, Dublin 15 Cathal Farrell Cathal Farrell

Milltown, Co Galway. Michael Dwyer Michael Dwyer

Niall O'Laoghog and his 6th class viewed the eclipse with the help of tinfoil and cardboard boxes from Lucan, Co Dublin. The cloud cleared for long enough for all the children to see it, thankfully. Niall O'Laoghog Niall O'Laoghog

Taken near Eadestown outside Naas town Nuala Holloway Nuala Holloway

The skies over Dundalk this morning Ailish Sands Ailish Sands

Outside Astronomy Ireland HQ in Blanchardstown, Chairman David Moore and fellow astronomy enthusiasts gathered to watch today's partial solar eclipse - using special glasses to prevent eye damage. Sasko Lazarov / RN Sasko Lazarov / RN / RN

David Moore of Astronomy Ireland told TheJournal yesterday that it is the deepest partial eclipse since 20 March 2015 and the next such event will happen in March 2025.

“Given this is the best eclipse in a decade, everyone in Ireland should make sure they witness it over the two and a half hours that it will take place so I strongly recommend people book the day off work to see this extremely rare natural spectacle,” he said. 

“While Ireland is a long way from the centreline of this Annular Eclipse, if it’s clear we will see a spectacular Partial Eclipse.”

If conditions weren’t great where you are, Nasa live-streamed the event here.

Rest of the world:

The New York City skyline this morning Seth Wenig / PA Seth Wenig / PA / PA

The view in Baltimore, Maryland. Julio Cortez / PA Julio Cortez / PA / PA

The sun is partially eclipsed as it sets over the horizon in Beijing, China. Ng Han Guan / PA Ng Han Guan / PA / PA

This picture was taken with a telescope with 2000mm focal length in Cologne, Germany. DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

Orange County, New York State Philip Kinkel Philip Kinkel

Send your eclipse photos to pictures@thejournal.ie (if you managed to get one).

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