Public get safe view of eclipse

The public will be given details of the transition as it happens

Leicester's National Space Centre has offered the public a chance to view Monday's partial eclipse in safety.

The earth, the sun and the moon were almost perfectly lined up.

The eclipse started at about 0850 BST but the maximum eclipse, when about half of the sun will be hidden, took place at about 1000 BST.

The National Space Centre and Leicester Astronomical Society gave visitors a safe view of the eclipse using specially adapted telescopes.

The event, held outside the actual centre, was free of charge.

The National Space Centre opened from 0830 BST with experts on hand to help visitors see the partial eclipse and explain details of the transition.

Communications Manager Malika Andress said: "Even during a partial eclipse, the sun is bright enough to damage your eyes. It is important not to look directly at the sun."

The next partial eclipse will be visible from the UK on 29 March 2006 - with 15% of the Sun obscured from Leicester - and the next total solar eclipse will be visible from the UK on 23 September 2090.