Photos: Partial Solar Eclipse Captivates Much of the Northern Hemisphere

As the sun rose in the Northern Hemisphere on Saturday, the moon cut across Earth’s orbit and took a bite out of the sun.

The partial solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on our planet, was the first of the year and was visible in parts of the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia and Africa.

Unlike a total solar eclipse, when the entire sun is covered, a partial solar eclipse creates a crescent sun.

The event had already begun when dawn broke in the Northeastern United States, which had the best view in the country. People in northern and western Europe, as well as on the northwestern coast of Africa, were treated to the celestial show during the late morning and early afternoon.

If you missed it, the next partial solar eclipse will be in September, and the best view will be in Australia.

Jonathan Wolfe contributed reporting.