The last solar eclipse of the year
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Sky watchers across the world had a treat on Sunday as the final solar eclipse of 2013 took place in a rare hybrid form- both annular and total.
Many astronomers made preparations to record and observe the solar eclipse, while others made expeditions to Gabon, Africa, families elsewhere made do with protective eyewear or telescopes.
The first sighting of the eclipse was estimated to be at 6 pm Singapore time, with the total eclipse ending at 10.30pm. The annular eclipse ended an hour later.
The rare type of eclipse, that swept across parts of the US, Africa and Europe on Sunday, gave some areas a total blackout while others only experienced a partial version. Here a bird flies as sun is partially eclipsed in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon is aligned perfectly between the Earth and sun, blocking out the sun’s light. An annular eclipse happens when the moon only partially covers the sun, leaving a “ring of fire”.
The last hybrid eclipse was in April 2005, and the next one will take place in 2023.
The eclipse in Sidon, Lebanon
The eclipse in Amman, Jordan
The eclipse in Abu Dhabi, UAE
A partially-eclipsed sun
Clouds over New York
The eclipse in Nairobi, Kenya
The eclipse in Juba, South Sudan
The eclipse in action
The sun through a soda bottle
