Solar eclipse fullest above British skies since 1999 as spectators take it in at sporting events across Europe

Posted on in sports

Cricket fans at Edgbaston were among sporting spectators given a stunning view of Wednesday evening's partial solar eclipse.

The sky took on an eerie darkness as the Moon obscured more than 90 per cent of the Sun, leaving only a slim crescent of light visible.

Spectators watching Birmingham Phoenix face MI London in The Hundred were able to take in the spectacle from the stands, with many wearing special glasses.

The eclipse was the fullest above British skies since the total eclipse in 1999.

Many fans watched on at Edgbaston through special glasses

Image: Many fans watched on at Edgbaston through special glasses

Other sporting events also took place against the unusual backdrop.

Floodlights were turned on in anticipation at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Small groups, including Swedish athletes Erika Warff and Tilde Bjerager, gathered outside Alexander Stadium to observe the phenomenon, congregating on both sides of the terrace below the west stand.

Also See:

Floodlights at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham were also on in anticipation of the eclipse

Image: Floodlights at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham were also on in anticipation of the eclipse

Some were prepared with protective paper glasses while others watched through their phone cameras, although the rare occurrence was already obscured by clouds when it peaked at around 7.15pm.

In Salzburg, football fans attending the UEFA Super Cup between Aston Villa and European champions Paris St Germain also gazed skywards.

Football fans watched on at the UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg

Image: Football fans watched on at the UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.

Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

The eclipse took place around half an hour before kick-off in the Austrian city.

La Monumental at the MADRING F1 circuit in Madrid provided one of the most unique vantage points from which to witness the solar eclipse.

With its imposing grandstand and the Madrid skyline as a backdrop, La Monumental staged its first major spectacle exactly one month before the Spanish Grand Prix gets underway: the meeting of one of nature's greatest phenomena and MADRING'S most significant corner.

The eclipse proved stunning at the MADRING F1 circuit in Madrid

Image: The eclipse proved stunning at the MADRING F1 circuit in Madrid

Located in the northern section of the circuit, within the Valdebebas site, Turn 12 was an exceptional location from which spectators were able to witness an eclipse.

Watch every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday August 16. Stream contract-free on NOW.