Solar eclipse: Britons left disappointed after spectacle across UK skies masked by cloud

SKYGAZERS hoping to see today's much-anticipated solar eclipse were hampered by a very British problem as poor weather obscured much of the spectacle.

The UK's first solar eclipse for 17 years fizzled out with people from Cornwall to the Faroe Islands complaining that the sun display proved to be a huge disappointment.

Spectators across much of Europe were able to view the phenomenon, with the first images filmed in Spain of the rare solar spectacle.

But overcast skies across much of the country spoiled the view for many, with some on Twitter calling it the "worst eclipse ever".

And workers who took time away from their desks to view the sun were blamed for costing the British economy a staggering £108 million.

Employees were seen hurrying out of offices to try and get a view of the phenomenon, but many were unable to see the spectacular sight because most of the UK's sky was covered by cloud.

For those who missed it, the eclipse peaked in the UK from 9.23am, when those lucky enough saw the Sun covered by between 83 per cent and 95 per cent. 

Health experts had warned people not to look directly at the Sun when it was partially or fully covered, as it can cause serious damage to the eyes.

Some went to extreme measures to view the spectacle, with a group in Bristol creating their own 'telescope' out of cardboard boxes.

Others used colanders to cast shadows of the sun - or more conventional viewing sunglasses.

BBC weather presented Wendy Hurrell tweeted that those on the broadcaster's roof thought it was the "worst eclipse ever".

The reaction on social media was similarly downbeat, with #anticlimax trending on Twitter.

Douglas Robertson tweeted: "Hilarious - weather lady says we won't see the eclipse, just a 'slight darkening of the sky'"

While Mitchell Fassett wrote: "If that was the best solar eclipse for 16 years then I am definitely not getting out of bed for the next one"

BBC Radio 1 DJ Tina Daheley complained the disappointing show across much of the country "must be the equivalent of it raining on your wedding day for an astronomer".

The eclipse first formed in the North Atlantic, and was viewed as it moved across Europe before ending at the North Pole. 

The UK is not expected to see another solar eclipse on this scale until 2026. 

Dr Daniel Brown, an astronomy expert at Nottingham Trent University, explained the eclipse happens close to the spring equinox, during a so called minor lunar standstill and when the Moon is quite close in its orbit around the Earth.

“Such a special occurrence has strengthened the belief by some that this is going to have a very strong influence on humans, through an invisible metaphysical paranormal force," he said.

"No such forces exist that would justify these ideas, but what is unmistakable, is that experiencing and watching this cosmic event is out of this world.”

Viewers in the Shetland Islands and the far north east of Scotland got the best view, with 98 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon by 9.43am. 

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Eclipse graphicPA

Viewers across much of the country were left disappointed, with #anticlimax trending on Twitter
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