Thousands of Londoners took to the streets to watch the biggest solar eclipse since 1999 on Wednesday. The eclipse saw 90 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon and peaked just after 7pm.
Crowds gather across the capital
Many watched the solar event from their homes, but huge crowds took to the capital’s parks, including many at Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory. Large numbers queued for special glasses to watch the eclipse safely, while others made use of home-made alternatives including colanders and cereal boxes.
Darkness falls over London
Much of London was shrouded in darkness at the height of the eclipse. The eclipse was the fullest of its kind seen in UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.
Best pictures from the eclipse
Here are the best pictures from Wednesday’s once-in-a-generation eclipse in London. Crowds watch the eclipse from Greenwich Park, people wearing protective glasses react to the eclipse in south London, and the Houses of Parliament are seen in darkness during the eclipse. Eclipse-watchers with some creative headgear on Primrose Hill, a woman looks for special eclipse sunglasses on Primrose Hill, and crowds gathered at Greenwich. An Arsenal fan watches the eclipse ahead of the team’s game against Como, a woman uses a colander to watch the eclipse, and a family with a home-made periscope.
