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In pictures: Sky watchers gather for solar eclipse

Tanya GuptaSouth East
News imageBBC / Jack Valpy A bright crescent of sunlight appears against a black sky as the Moon passes in front of the Sun during a partial solar eclipse.BBC / Jack Valpy
The Moon obscured about 90% of the Sun during the partial solar eclipse

People gathered at beaches, parks and attractions across the South East to watch the Moon pass in front of the Sun during a partial solar eclipse.

Across southern England, sky watchers were able to see about 90% of the Sun obscured.

Parties, picnics, workshops and talks were held to mark the event, with the next partial solar eclipse visible from the UK not expected until 2050 and the next total eclipse not occurring until 2090.

We gathered images from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, capturing the crowds, coastlines and viewing methods that helped people experience the moment.

News imageBBC / Phil Harrison Rhiannon Quinche stands in a grassy clearing on Tunbridge Wells Common wearing eclipse glasses, with its famous rocks in the background. Trees surround the area and warm evening sunlight falls across the landscape.BBC / Phil Harrison
News imageBob Courtice A group of people stand in a sunny clearing on Ockham Common in Surrey, holding eclipse viewers and projection cards while looking towards the sky. Tall trees surround the clearing and long shadows stretch across the ground.Bob Courtice
Rhiannon Quinche, in Tunbridge Wells, said she had "never seen anything like it"
Eclipse watchers gathered amongst the trees on Ockham Common in Surrey

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