A partial solar eclipse was seen in Irish skies on 1st of August 2008  as the moon passed in front of the sun.While it was a full solar eclipse in some parts of the globe, watchers in Ireland only saw up to one-third of the sun covered.Still, scientists warned people not to look directly at the sun.Parts of northern China, Greenland, Canada and Russia saw the full eclipse at points between 9am and 11.30am Irish time.Millions of people were treated to a rare view of a solar eclipse . Some thousands who could make it to northern Canada or central Russia, Mongolia or China got the full monty—a total eclipse lasting more than two minutes.In India, the eclipse was visible partially while people in northern parts of the world, including Russia, China and Canada were able to view a total eclipse."It went off well. We could have a clear view of the solar eclipse for about 80 minutes and after that, around 5.20 p.m., clouds covered the sky hiding the sun," Nehru Planetarium director N. Rathnahree said.

In Delhi, the eclipse began at 4.03 p.m. and ended at 5.56 p.m. The eclipse was at its peak at 5.02 p.m. when the sun was eclipsed by about 62.4 percent in diameter.

About 300 people and many voluntary organisations, including Amateur Astronomers Association, Science Popularisation Association of Communication and Educators (SPACE) and Astro Education Services, came to the Nehru Planetarium to see the eclipse.

The next solar eclipse visible in Ireland will be in January 2011 while the next total eclipse visible on the island will not be until 2090.
David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, says the drop in light - and temperature - was very noticeable during the eclipse.Astronomy Ireland held five 'watches' at various locations throughout the country where the public was able to view the eclipse using safe methods and equipment.