Rare "hybrid" solar eclipse as moon blots out sun

The second and last solar eclipse of the year provided a stunning celestial show this weekend in parts of Africa, Europe and the United States.

It was considered a rare "hybrid" eclipse, where some parts of the world saw an annular or partial eclipse, and others were expected to see a total eclipse, with the moon completely blocking out the sun.

In the U.S., a partial eclipse was visible from the East Coast shortly after sunrise.

As the moon moved between the sun and the earth, it seemed to bite into the sphere of the sun and transform it into a glowing crescent.

It's not safe to look at a solar eclipse with the naked eye, but in prime viewing areas people donned special protective glasses or used filtered telescopes or pinhole projectors to watch it happen.

Check out these stunning images of the eclipse taken by photographers around the world.