Cloud hides partial eclipse from Guernsey astronomers

Mr Le Conte said it was always exciting to see any eclipse

The first partial solar eclipse to be visible from the Bailiwick of Guernsey for nearly two and a half years was mostly obstructed by cloud.

David Le Conte, public relations Officer for the Astronomy Section of La Societe Guernesiaise, said the cloud cover had been "very frustrating".

He said: "From my vantage point on the east coast, a large black cloud covered the Sun from sunrise until 0900 GMT.

"But the eclipse was visible from then until it finished at 0924 GMT."

The next one won't be for another four years in 2015 David Le Conte

Mr Le Conte said he took the photograph (above) at 0906 GMT when the Sun was about 17.5% eclipsed, while the maximum, at sunrise, was 70%.

He said the Moon had just uncovered a sunspot, which can be seen in the upper left of the picture, about the size of the Earth.

Mr Le Conte said: "A partial eclipse of the sun is always interesting to watch, it happens about once every three years."

"The last one was in 2008, but the next one won't be for another four years in 2015.

"So I've seen quite a few partial eclipses, but they are not as exciting as a total solar eclipse of course, but we'll have to wait until 2081 and then again in 2090 before the next total eclipse is visible from here."

He said those who travelled to other countries could see them at different times.

He said: "It's always interesting to see any eclipse, whether it's the moon or the sun, because it's a good feeling of the whole dynamics of the solar system between the Sun, Earth and Moon."