Solar eclipse 2016: What time is the solar eclipse and where can I see it?

A total solar eclipse is set to take place on Tuesday. Here's everything you need to know about when and where you can see it

When is the solar eclipse and how can I watch it?

The countdown has begun to the next total solar eclipse, which will take place between Tuesday 8 March and Wednesday 9 March 2016.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth.
The eclipse will only be visible across an area of Pacific Ocean, beginning in Indonesia, and ending in the northern Pacific Ocean.
Watch it live here
If viewed from east of the international date line - for instance from Hawaii - the eclipse will take place on March 8. The first people will start to see a partial eclipse at 23:19 GMT.

If viewed from west of the international date line - in parts of the Pacific including Indonesia, Malaysia, and large parts of South-East Asia and Australia - it will take place on 9 March. The last people will see it at 04.34 GMT.
Read more: Astrologer Russell Grant on what the solar eclipse means for your star sign
The eclipse will be total in Indonesia and the central Pacific, starting at sunrise over Sumatra and ending at sunset north of Hawaii.

In most parts of India and Nepal the sun will rise partially eclipsed. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea will witness more than 50% partial eclipse.

Have your say in our comments section below

Solar Eclipse 2016

How to photograph the Eclipse safely When's the next Solar Eclipse in the UK? How to view the phenomenon safely What time is the Solar Eclipse? Eclipse could see 'natural catastrophe' 5 weirdest solar eclipse rituals What the super moon means for star signs Why the sun could fry your eyes

Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand will see about 50% partial eclipsed sun. Australia, China, Japan and Alaska will get less than 50% partial eclipse.

Click to play

Play

0:00

/

0:00

Fullscreen

Mute

Getty

Solar eclipses happen on average 2.4 times a year. Last year, on March 20, the UK experienced the biggest eclipse in over a decade , with parts of Scotland seeing 94% of their sun rays blocked out by the moon.
A total eclipse will not happen in the UK again until 2090.

Click to play