Partial solar eclipse visible in Middle East

For almost two hours on Friday, the Middle East, along with countries in Europe and North Africa, will witness what the BBC described as the best solar eclipse in years.

Only the Faroe Islands and the Norwegian islands of Svalbard will experience a total eclipse, while parts of the Middle East, North African and Europe will witness other phases of the event.

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun, obscuring its view either fully or partially from the Earth.

The partial eclipse will be seen in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Iraq, and Jordan, the Beirut-based Daily Star reported.

The solar eclipse will begin at 8:45 a.m. GMT and start in Greenland, before moving towards the northeast as it passes over Iceland and the UK.

A few hours after the eclipse a supermoon is expected to illuminate the night sky as the moon orbits at its closest to Earth.

Friday also marks the end of winter, as it ushers in the start of a new season with the spring equinox.

Some Christian ministers believe that because all three events fall on the same day is the beginning of the end of the world, the Guardian reported.

Scientists always warn people never to look directly at a solar eclipse as the sun emits harmful rays that can damage your eyes.