Huge crowd gathers to observe partial solar eclipse at Sharjah Astronomy Centre

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

A massive crowd gathered to observe the partial solar eclipse at Sharjah Astronomy Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Mosques across UAE held eclipse prayer after the Islamic Affairs called for it to be held after the afternoon prayers.

Eclipse prayers in Islam are performed at the time of an eclipse, whether it be a solar or lunar eclipse.

Known as "Kusoof”, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to offer the special prayers during solar or lunar eclipses.

The partial eclipse will ended off the coast of India at 1302 GMT, crossing parts of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East on its way.

Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow down onto our planet.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's disk, momentarily plunging a portion of the Earth into complete darkness.

However Tuesday's eclipse was only partial, and the Moon's shadow did not touched the surface of the Earth at any point.