Sky watchers across the world had a treat on Sunday as the
final solar eclipse of 2013 took place in a rare hybrid form- both
annular and total.
Many astronomers made preparations to record and observe the solar
eclipse, while others made expeditions to Gabon, Africa, families
elsewhere made do with protective eyewear or telescopes.
The first sighting of the eclipse was estimated to be at 6 pm
Singapore time, with the total eclipse ending at 10.30pm. The
annular eclipse ended an hour later.
The rare type of eclipse, that swept across parts of the US, Africa
and Europe on Sunday, gave some areas a total blackout while others
only experienced a partial version. Here a bird flies as sun is
partially eclipsed in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon is aligned perfectly
between the Earth and sun, blocking out the sun’s light. An annular
eclipse happens when the moon only partially covers the sun,
leaving a “ring of fire”.
The last hybrid eclipse was in April 2005, and the next one will
take place in 2023.
