Solar eclipse: Rare event takes place in the UK!

On Thursday 10 June, people in the UK experienced a partial eclipse, as the Moon took a bite out of the Sun.

An eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun blocking its light. It occurs once every one or two years, but each time it can only be seen in certain parts of the world.

This time the eclipse was visible from the Earth's northern hemisphere - meaning countries that are north of the equator, including the UK, most of Europe, Asia and much of North America, got to see the special solar event.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth

These UK school children used special eclipse safety glasses to watch the solar eclipse in 2015

Remember it's important to never look directly at the Sun as it can permanently damage your eyes.

Sunglasses do not offer sufficient protection either, so if you want to view the eclipse, ask your parents or an adult you trust about special protective eclipse glasses - although at the moment these are quite expensive to buy online.

To view the eclipse you need special glasses - Sunglasses DO NOT offer enough protection and looking directly at the Sun can permanently damage your eyes

Another option to see the eclipse without looking directly at the Sun is creating a pin-hole projector.

To make one, poke a small hole into a piece of card. Hold the card up to the Sun so that light shines through the hole and on to a piece of paper behind the card. You will be able to see the shape of the Sun projected on to the piece of paper and watch its shape change as the Moon passes in front of the Sun.

The further north you live the more of the Moon covered the Sun and a near total eclipse was experienced in specific parts of Russia, Greenland and Canada.

The Moon is currently the furthest away in its orbit around Earth, that means even in countries where the Moon will appear to pass directly in front of the Sun, it didn't completely cover it. Instead there was a ring of bright light visible around the silhouette of the Moon, this is known as the 'ring of fire'.

Did you see the solar eclipse? Let us know in the comments.