THE skies over Somerset will darken on Friday, March 20, for the most impressive solar eclipse since 1999.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, totally or partly obscuring the sun for a viewer on earth.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon's apparent diameter is larger than the sun, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness.

However, the eclipse in Somerset will only be partial, with sky watchers having to travel to the Faroe Islands to see a full eclipse.

The eclipse will begin in the UK at 8.45am with the maximum eclipse, when the moon is nearest the middle of the sun, at 9.31am.

The eclipse will end at 10.41am.