Solar eclipse creeps across UK

Millions of people in the UK and northern Europe are witnessing the best solar eclipse in years.

In a solar eclipse, a swathe of the Earth is plunged into darkness as the Moon comes between us and the Sun.

This process began at 07:41 GMT and the deepest part of the Moon's shadow touched the Earth's surface at 09:13 GMT. It reached the UK at 09:23, where the darkness will peak at about 09:35.

Experts are warning people not to look directly at the phenomenon.

This is because even during the eclipse, looking directly at the Sun causes serious harm - but there are ways to watch the eclipse safely and many people are looking for a chance to do so.

The deep shadow forms first in the North Atlantic, before sweeping up into the Arctic Circle and ending at the North Pole.

The UK will not see a solar eclipse on this scale again until 2026, but the British forecast is not particularly encouraging.

Nonetheless, all parts of the UK are in line to see at least 83% of the Sun's disc obscured by the Moon.

The eclipse is a morning show.

The exact moment of greatest darkness for UK skywatchers will be dependent on the location.

There are at least four eclipses every year - two solar and two lunar. Although up to seven can occur in one given year.

The next eclipse of 2015 is a lunar eclipse on 4 April. The next solar eclipse will be a partial one on 3 September. The final eclipse of this year is a lunar eclipse on 28 September.

BBC