Rare hybrid solar eclipse graces the skies; see pics

The world witnessed a rare astronomical event on Thursday - a hybrid solar eclipse, with the rare event visible to sky-watchers in Western Australia, parts of Indonesia, and East Timor. The eclipse which started at 07.04 am will last till 12.29 pm IST and cannot be seen in India. Hybrid solar eclipses are a combination of total and annular eclipses. It takes place when a total eclipse and the annular solar eclipse occur at the same time. Here are some pictures from this rare celestial event.

A rare hybrid solar eclipse plunged the Australian town of Exmouth into total. Stargazers parked their caravans, pitched their telescopes, and donned protective glasses to watch a 'ring of fire' forming as the sun peeked out from behind the moon. Credit: Twitter/@Pak_Weather

Photographer John Kraus captured this picture of the 'super heavy solar eclipse' and shared it on social media. Credit: Twitter/@johnkrausphotos

In Indonesia's capital, hundreds came to see the partial eclipse, obscured by clouds. Credit: AP Photo

In Philippines, a rare hybrid solar eclipse graced the skies of Paranaque city. Credit: Twitter/@PhilippineStar

The hybrid solar eclipse as seen from Metro Manila, Philippines. Credit: Reuters Photo

A general view showing a partial solar eclipse in Jakarta. Credit: AFP Photo

People use protective glasses to watch the solar eclipse in Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: AP Photo

A woman assists her daughter as she looks through a telescope to watch the solar eclipse. Credit: AP Photo