Eclipse in the backdrop of the pyramids

A picture taken on January 4, 2011 shows the world's first partial solar eclipse of 2011in Sofia. Europe was given a front-row seat today to the first solar eclipse of 2011 only to find that in many places a thick curtain of cloud marred the spectacle.

Jan 04, 2011 19:43 IST

A picture taken on January 4 in Sofia, Bulgaria, shows the world's first partial solar eclipse of 2011. Europe was given a front-row seat to the eclipse only to find that in many places a thick curtain of cloud marred the spectacle. (AFP Photo)

$The solar eclipse as seen from the cross of a church in a Christian neighbourhood of Syrian capital Damascus. The partial eclipse occurred when a fraction of the moon was obscured the sun, making it seem in clear skies as if a "bite" had been taken out of the solar face. (AFP Photo)$

The solar eclipse as seen from the cross of a church in a Christian neighbourhood of Syrian capital Damascus. The partial eclipse occurred when a fraction of the moon was obscured the sun, making it seem in clear skies as if a "bite" had been taken out of the solar face. (AFP Photo)
The picture shows the world's first partial solar eclipse of 2011 as seen from the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. (AFP Photo)
The moon passes in front of the sun, during a partial solar eclipse as snow-covered crosses and domes of St. Bazil's Cathedral are seen in Moscow. (AP Photo)

A partial solar eclipse is pictured through clouds in Bochum, western Germany. (AP Photo)
An enthusiast uses a projection shield to see the partial solar eclipse as visible in Czech capital Prague on January 4, 2011. In the culminating phase, up to 80 percent of the solar disc was obscured by the silhouette of the Moon passing between it and the Earth. (AP Photo)
Israelis watch a partial solar eclipse in the town of Givatayim near Tel Aviv. A partial solar eclipse began in the skies over the Mideast and extended across much of Europe. (AP Photo)