East Midlands treated to best solar eclipse in years

News imageBuzzyBeeGirl Moon blocking the light of the sun BuzzyBeeGirl
The solar eclipse was viewed across the East Midlands

People across the East Midlands looked to the sky on Wednesday evening as the UK was treated to its fullest solar eclipse since 1999.

It was visible across the region, with about 90% of the Sun's disc covered by the Moon, depending on your location.

A solar eclipse happens when the Earth, Moon and the Sun align - or almost align. The Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the amount of light we receive from our star.

Weather Watchers from across the East Midlands have shared their photos with us.

News imageMade in Finland Most of the sun blocked by the moonMade in Finland
The solar eclipse from Grove in Nottinghamshire
News imageMrs B Notts A device made to view the solar eclipseMrs B Notts
People used special devices to view the solar eclipse
News imagePeople watching the solar eclipse on a hill
People gathered on Breedon on the Hill in Leicestershire to watch the solar eclipse
News imageHelen Earth Sun blocked by the moonHelen Earth
The eclipse viewed from Cropwell Bishop in Nottinghamshire
News imageTammy Solar eclipse from a fieldTammy
The solar eclipse viewed from Burton Joyce
News imageElla Part of the sun covered by the moon in BraunstoneElla
An image of the solar eclipse developing from Braunstone
News imageFoxy People gathered to watch the solar eclipseFoxy
People sat on a hillside to watch the solar eclipse in Oxton, Nottinghamshire
News imageSmiley-Sue Solar eclipse from ChellastonSmiley-Sue
The solar eclipse from Chellaston in Derby
News imageSmiley-Sue The solar eclipse visible through a colanderSmiley-Sue
Some people viewed the solar eclipse with the help of a colander
News imagePeople gathered to watch the solar eclipse
Crowds gathered at an event in Bestwood to watch the solar eclipse

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.