2011 First Solar Eclipse Begins Over Middle East

Only Real Honest True Unbiased Local, World & US News |The first eclipse of the Sun in 2011 has begun in the skies over the Middle East and Europe with the Moon veiling the star in the solar system. The peak of the first of four partial eclipses of 2011 will be observable in parts of Europe and Africa on Tuesday when between two-thirds and three-quarters of the Sun will be darkened.

Most of northern Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia also lie in the lunar shadow's path, US space agency NASA has said.

Citizens of Iran, Egypt, Turkey, and Lebanon will witness a large fraction of the Sun's diameter obscured by the Moon.

As the lunar shadow moves eastward, a smaller eclipse will be visible at sunset from central Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northwest China.

No total or annular eclipses occur during 2011, but there will be four partial solar eclipses.

The solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned.

Press TV