Solar eclipse sweeps across US, Africa and Europe

Turkana women look at the hybrid solar eclipse at the remote Sibiloi National Park on the shores of Lake Turkana. Credit: REUTERS/Noor Khamis

A rare solar eclipse has swept across parts of the US, Africa and Europe.

Described as a "hybrid eclipse," some areas were witnessing a total blackout with others experiencing a partial version.

The Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon, part of the Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Lisbon, calculated the moon would cover between 10 to 23 percent of the sun.

A partially eclipsed sun is seen from Juba, South Sudan. Credit: REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

However, in the Azores and over Madeira island, the effect was set to be greater - 25 to 27 percent.

In Lagos, Nigeria, some people were gathered on a beach to witness the event.Experts have warned people not to look directly at the sun during the hybrid eclipse without taking safety precautions.

bird flies as sun is partially eclipsed in Sidon, southern Lebanon. Credit: REUTERS/Abdel-Halim Shahaby