Solar eclipse dazzles Russia, China

A shadow has swept across Russia delighting skywatchers who flocked to Siberia to see a rare total eclipse of the sun.

Thousands gather in Novasibirsk in Siberia, to see a rare solar eclipse.

With eye protection and some looking through specially shielded telescopes, they waited until the moment the sun began to disappear, in the middle of the day.

A total solar eclipse like this happens when the moon moves between the sun and the earth, casting a giant shadow.

These shots from NASA show the moment the sun was completely blocked out.

This eclipse started in Canada, before tracked across Greenland then into Siberia before moving towards China.

Eclipses were viewed as dangerous omens by ancient Chinese astronomers.

This one comes exactly a week before the Olympics open in Beijing.

And in the Chinese capital hundreds gathered on the spot where the eclipse came to an end.

It was also visible in London.

Here only 12 percent of the sun was blotted out, making eye protection extra important

Solar eclipses are facinating as they are rare.

The next will occur in a years time in parts of India and China.

Andrew Potter, Reuters.