UK stargazers were treated to a partial solar eclipse on Saturday morning, a phenomenon that sees the sun partially obscured by the moon.

Up to 40% of the sun was covered as the moon passed between the sun and Earth, partly obscuring the star.

Members of the public gathered to watch the spectacle in Greenwich while thousands more followed online.

“It’s a different way of experiencing the mechanics of the solar system for yourself,” said Catherine Muller, an astronomer at Royal Observatory to Sky News science correspondent Thomas Moore.

“We know about it theoretically, we know that the moon orbits the Earth and they might pass by us but really getting to see it in a new and different way is quite exciting for a lot of people.”

Looking directly at the sun is dangerous so astronomers used glasses, solar telescopes and pinhole cameras to watch the event.

The eclipse was visible across several other parts of the world, including western Europe, Greenland, north-west Africa and north-east North America.

For people in the southeast of England – where the weather meant the UK views were best – the peak of the eclipse was at around 11.03am.

At that point, around 30-40% of the sun was obscured, according to the Royal Observatory.

Northwest Scotland had the most coverage of the sun with 47.9% in Gallan Head, with Manchester getting 36.1% of coverage.

Dover had the least coverage of the sun with only 28.1%.

The next total solar eclipse is not for another 65 years in 2090, so Ms Muller recommends “making the most of the partial ones when they’re around”.

Stargazers could catch a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse this morning, where the sun looks like it’s had a bite taken out of it.

It only occurs a handful of times a year, when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, and partly obscures the star.

Here’s what you need to know for the best chance of seeing it.

When is it?

It’s expected to be visible in the UK from 9.56am to 12.14pm today.

For people in the south of England – where the weather means views should be best – the peak of the eclipse is set to be at around 11.03am.

This is when the eclipse reaches its “maximum” – the moment when the greatest portion of the sun is hidden.

According to the Royal Observatory, the maximum this time will see around 30-40% of the sun obscured.

What is the weather meant to be like?

Some parts of the UK will see more of the eclipse than others. Northwest Scotland is expected to see the most coverage with 47.9% in Gallan Head.

Dover in southwest England is set to see the least coverage of the eclipse with only 28.1% of the sun blocked by the moon, while Manchester is expected to have 36.1% of coverage.

Check the forecast where you are

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “The further northwest you are in the UK the more of an eclipse you are likely to have, whereas towards the southeast it’s a little bit less – but still 30%, and still a large chunk taken out of the sun.”

Met Office maps show clear skies across southeast England at the time that the eclipse starts, with partial cloud above Manchester and northwest England, and cloud above most of Scotland.

The areas expected to have some of the best eclipse coverage are also likely to see cloud and rain at the time.

Conditions are widely meant to clear over the weekend, with temperatures up to 17C in the South East and 14C in the North on Sunday – but it may come slightly too late to have a good view of the sun today.

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How can I give myself the best chance of seeing it?

Even though part of the sun will be covered, its brightness will still be dangerous to the naked eye, so experts say it can cause serious and permanent damage if you look straight at it without appropriate protection.

Also: standard sunglasses do not count as protection.

If you want more than a quick glance, you can use a pinhole projector or solar eclipse viewing glasses.

You can make pinhole projectors at home, simply by making a hole in a piece of card, holding the card up to the sun and holding another piece of paper behind the card.

The shape of the sun will appear projected onto the paper, without harming you.

Solar eclipse viewing glasses can be purchased online.

For those who can’t see it in person, the Royal Observatory is streaming the partial eclipse live through one of its modern telescopes on its YouTube channel, with coverage starting from 10am.

Spring sunshine will return to parts of the UK in time for Mother’s Day and continue into next week – potentially bringing the hottest day of the year so far, forecasters have said.

Sky weather producer Kirsty McCabe said Mothering Sunday was likely to be a “mostly fine day with bright or sunny spells once early low cloud and drizzle clears”.

She predicted there would be “temperatures near or above average” for most places.

Afterwards, however, high pressure is set to dominate. There is a good chance the highest temperature of the year so far will be reached by the middle of next week, topping the high of 21.3C (70F) recorded on 20 March.

Latest UK weather forecast

However, the far north and west of the British Isles are likely to be cloudier and windier with a risk of rain.

The Met Office has also forecast that warm conditions will return on Sunday after a brief, changeable period in what it called “typical spring fashion”.

Central and inland areas should have the warmest weather on Mother’s Day, with its forecasters also predicting “a short-lived spell of unsettled weather this weekend”.

But the Met Office added the country would “transition back towards a blocked weather pattern as high pressure builds on Sunday and dominates our weather through much of next week”.

Honor Criswick, a meteorologist from the agency, said the high pressure would “stick around as we head into next week, bringing some fine and settled conditions, perhaps even some warm sunshine”.

Partial solar eclipse in parts of UK

Ms Criswick said Sunday morning would be cloudy, with possible drizzle and mist, but that would give way to a dry day with “some sunny spells, particularly across central and inland areas of the UK”.

She predicted there would be “quite a settled start to the week next week, lots of sunny spells and also some quite warm temperatures”.

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Meanwhile, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the UK between 10am and noon on Saturday.

Those in the east of the country will have the best chance of seeing it.

The phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. However, the three planetary bodies will not be completely aligned, meaning only part of the sun will be obscured this weekend.