Solar eclipse 2015: Millions witness phenomenon, but cloud spoils spectacle for many in the south

2,000 passengers on a Southampton cruise ship had one of the best views of yesterdays eclipse despite the vessel being unable to dock in the Faroe Islands because the weather was so bad. Instead, the Captain of P&O Cruises Oriana headed back to sea and managed to find clear skies. Mike Pearse reports.

2,000 passengers on a Southampton cruise ship had one of the best views of yesterdays eclipse despite the vessel being unable to dock in the Faroe Islands because the weather was so bad.

So instead the Captain of P&O Cruises Oriana headed back to sea and managed to find clear skies giving those on board a perfect view of the total eclipse.

In contrast those on the Island saw hardly anything.

Oriana returned to Torshavn the capital of the Faroe Islands last night and passengers have been telling of their experience. They say the eclipse was "amazing" and "day turned to night."

One said it ended up being "the perfect place to watch the eclipse and the sun was totally covered."

The ship is now heading to see the northern lights as part of a two week trip.

The Faroe Islands was one of only two places in the world a total eclipse could be viewed. While it went dark, to the delight of 9,000 who made the trip, heavy cloud obscured the moon covering the sun.

Some who travelled to the Islands from the UK had paid up to £5,000 to make the trip by air. While there was disappointment at the poor weather most said it was worth going as they experienced darkness.

The sun did show soon after the total eclipse giving views of a partial eclipse. Many said it was an experience "not to be missed" and added to the beauty of the Islands had made a perfect break.

They'd spent thousands of pounds hoping for a once in a lifetime glimpse of a solar eclipse, but many fans who travelled to the Faroe Islands to witness the event were disappointed after clouds blocked their view. But they remained in high spirits claiming the experience of being plunged into darkness was worth the effort.

Lucky skygazers in the Thames Valley were among millions who saw a rare solar eclipse cast its shadow across Europe today. Some described an eerie feelilng as a chilly darkness descended on families, commuters, office workers, and schoolchildren, who'd stepped outside for a look. But for some, it was a big disappointment. Cloud cover reduced the event to gazing at a darkened sky on a cold morning. As Juliette Fletcher reports from Abingdon, inland was the place to be.

The Met Office has released this footage showing the solar eclipse from one of its satellites.

A lucky few had the ultimate view of this morning’s solar eclipse, as they took to the sky for a very special tandem skydive.

Tandam skydive student, Sean Garrett took to the sky with Tandem Skydive Instructor Michael French, while cameraman Lee Thomas floated near-by to catch the moment on camera.

Completed at GoSkydive, the UK’s premier tandem skydive centre in Salisbury, skydivers were able to experience the cosmic event like never before.

Jumping at 09:28 - when 80% of the sun was covered by the moon - from an altitude of 15,000ft, they reached speeds of 125 mph and a free-fall of up to 60 seconds, before their parachutes were deployed for a magical journey through the eerily dark sky as the moon passed over the sun.

Hundreds of eclipse chasers from the South have been in the Faroe Islands this morning.

This footage was filmed by ITV Meridian this morning.