Sky watchers see partial solar eclipse

A partial solar eclipse is seen over trees in Studencice, Slovenia. Photograph: Srdjan Zivulovic/Reuters.

A partial solar eclipse was visible in many areas this morning as the sun rose.

It is being seen seen across all of northern Europe and has been noted as the major astronomical event for 2011 in this part of the world.

At maximum contact the eclipse will cover about 40 per cent of the sun’s surface, though it will still be below the horizon in Ireland at that time.

Observers have been advised that the sun would be substantially eclipsed between 8.37am when it rises and 9.26 am the point of final contact by which time the sun will be four degrees above the horizon.

Last month there was a total lunar eclipse which coincided with the sun rising on the shortest day of the year, December 21st.

Astronomy Ireland is holding an eclipse watch from 8.15am this morning at the Howth summit car park. Observers have been warned not to look directly at the sun as it can cause blindness.

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