(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Darkness descended on stargazers at a Darlington sunflower field this evening as hundreds watched the most spectacular solar eclipse in decades.
Armed with picnic rugs, camping chairs, and bucket hats, crowds came together at Baydale Farm on Wednesday (August 12) to watch the celestial spectacle.
Peering through their special solar eclipse glasses, onlookers were left in awe at one of the most significant astronomical events since the total eclipse of 1999.
The dramatic display saw more than 90% of the sun obscured by the moon - an event of such a magnitude that similar won’t be seen again in the UK until 2081.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The skies above the region may have been a little cloudy in part, but most were able to catch a glimpse of the once in a lifetime event clearly.
Elsewhere in the North East, a massive group gathered at Baltic Square and the Gateshead Quayside next to the River Tyne from 6pm.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Dozens also gathered close to the Angel of the North in Gateshead to witness the incredible sight.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Onlookers across the country had to wear special glasses to protect their eyes from the sun's rays this evening, with the equipment becoming sparse in the lead up as everyone tried to get their hands on a pair.
And while this blotting out of the sun's rays was only partial across the UK, areas of Spain, Iceland and northern Portugal have experienced a total eclipse.
(Image: North News & Pictures)
(Image: North News & Pictures)
Dhara Patel, who is a space expert at the National Space Centre, said the event is so significant that some may have even been overcome by emotion.
Speaking at the UK’s largest space attraction in Leicester, she told the Press Association: “For a lot of people, it can be a little bit of an emotional event.
“I’ve seen previously people being drawn to tears or just have a really good moment within themselves where they realise they’re seeing or witnessing something… you’ve never seen before in your life.”