What eclipse

Millions of Britons were left 'disappointed' by the first solar eclipse this century after heavy cloud coverage obscured the view across the country.

But many reacted with typical British humour and took to social media to ask 'what eclipse?' and post hilarious memes as the celestial show peaked at around 9.30am amid grey skies. 

Jack Fraser posted a picture of grey clouds with a caption: 'What a view of the eclipse. Where are my sunglasses?'

Jackie Stradling said: 'So glad I didn't go to the trouble of getting special eclipse goggles. Can't see a thing! #whateclipse?'

Sarah Rees ‏said: 'It had to be cloudy today didn't it #eclipse2015 #whateclipse.' 

Martha Edwards said: 'Well that was a disappointment. Pretty nonexistent eclipse. Felt like just another dull day to me.' 

Maggie Towner ‏said: 'Belinda have I overslept and missed it? Nothing happening here #eclipse #whateclipse?'

Harry Broster ‏said: 'Eclipse conspiracy. I want my money back.'  

Met Office forecaster said that the majority of the country saw heavy cloud coverage, especially the South East and East Anglia. Dan Williams from the Met Office said: 'The South East had pretty widespread cloud coverage, but there were some localised breaks.

'In Scotland the western parts of the country were cloudy, but the eastern side was a bit brighter. There didn't seem to be any breaks in the cloud in London.' 

Enthusiasts gathered at places such as Stonehenge and the Isle of Lewis to catch a glimpse of the eclipse but were disappointed by the cloud cover obstructing the view. 

Software engineer Amarjeet Rai, from London, said: 'Solar eclipse this morning. Shame it's cloudy.'

RG Goldie from Jersey tweeted: 'So cloudy I can't even tell where the sun is right now.'

One of the unexpected upsides of the lunar activity today is that Bonnie Tyler's 1983 hit 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' is now trending. 

Emily Ashton ‏tweeted: 'Total eclipse of the heart will now be in my head all day. #turnaround'

The moon started moving at 8.24am and peak at around 9.30am. It is expected to finish at around 10.30. 

Lincolnshire and the Midlands through to southern parts of Wales were treated to the best view as the moon moved in front of the sun covering up to 97 per cent of its surface.

Around 40 million people in Scotland were unable to see the eclipse due to cloud coverage and heavy rain. 

The moon started moving at 8.24am and areas such as Plymouth and Swansea saw the full solar eclipse first.  

Met Office forecaster Kate Brown said said: 'The south-east corner is currently overcast and is going to stay that way into the time of the eclipse. But even if people don't see it happening they will still be able to sense it getting darker during that time.'

A Met Office spokeswoman said: 'Forecasting exactly where cloud will break and re-form is really not scientifically possible. But it's not as thick in the south as further north, so you're more likely to see breaks in the cloud the further south you are.'

Hundreds took to social media hto complain about the heavy cloud cover obscuring their view.

Sophia Swain ‏said: 'Most of the Shard obscured by heavy cloud. No eclipse spotting here then... #eclipse2015 #London #annoying #LoveALunarEvent' 

Brian Ramsbottom said: 'Too much cloud in Dublin to see #eclipse, we must make a sacrifice quickly to appease the cloud gods, I nominate Ryan Tubridy #makeitso'   

Leisha said: 'Got no chance of seeing the eclipse when all I can see is thick white cloud!' 

Despite the cloud, the event is expected to have a significant impact on the National Grid with a predicted loss of 850 megawatts of solar power from the electricity supply network. 

The last solar eclipse of such significance occurred on August 11 1999, and was 'total' - with 100 per cent of the sun covered when seen from Cornwall.

Another 'deep' partial eclipse visible in the UK will not occur until August 12 2026, and the next total eclipse not until September 2090.

Today's eclipse will produce a 100-mile-wide 'totality' shadow path that crosses the North Atlantic and covers only two land masses, the Faroe Islands between Scotland and Iceland and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.

Away from this path the sun is partly obscured. A partial eclipse will be visible across a large part of the northern hemisphere, including the whole of Europe, Greenland, Newfoundland, northern Africa and western Asia.

Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), who will be travelling on the P&O cruise ship Oriana to witness the total eclipse, said: 'We won't experience totality in the UK but it will still be a memorable event.'

He added that it may be memorable for the wrong reasons if people fail to heed the numerous warnings from experts not to look directly at the sun.

'Unlike every other eclipse of any size, this one takes place right in the middle of the rush-hour,' said Mr Scagell. 'It's not the best time from a safety point of view.

'A partial eclipse is more risky by far than a total eclipse because people don't realise that even looking at a thin sliver of sun is dangerous.

'It's absolutely true that there is a serious risk to people's eyesight. If people can't find a way to view the eclipse correctly then they shouldn't look because they're likely to damage their eyes.'

Dr Susan Blakeney, from the College of Optometrists, said: 'You should never look directly at the sun and that applies when there's a total or partial eclipse as well. This is because the radiation emitted by the sun is so powerful it may cause a solar burn of the retina.'

Together with the SPA, the Royal Astronomical Society has produced a booklet on how to view the eclipse safely.

Popular methods involve projecting an image from a telescope or binoculars on to a piece of white card, using a mirror to cast the image on to a wall, or making a pin-hole viewer from pieces of card or a cereal box that acts like a lens.

Two organised events are planned in London, where members of the public will have the chance to view the eclipse using specialist equipment.