21 May 2012 Last updated at 11:27

In pictures: Annular eclipse

The annular eclipse over Yokohama, near Tokyo in Japan, showing the sun blocked by the moon creating a dazzling light illuminating an otherwise pitch dark sky.

Millions of people have witnessed an annular eclipse that swept across the Earth from eastern Asia to the western US.

The coastal Philippines town of Gumaca, Quezon province, southeast of Manila

The eclipse happens when the Moon is at its farthest from the Earth and passes in front of the sun, not quite hiding it completely.

People in Osaka, western Japan, watch eclipse

People in Japan were among the first to witness the phenomenon - using special viewers.

However, cloudy skies over Hong Kong disappointed many who turned up hoping for a viewing.

A partial eclipse of the sun at the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

Overlooking the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, the partial eclipse offsets a blazing bright red-orange sky.

People watch the annular eclipse dim the sky, as the sun and moon align over the town of Kanarraville, Utah, 20 May, 2012.

Stargazers in Kanarraville, in the US state of Utah, are not likely to see another annular eclipse until 2023.

Japan Monkey Centre in Inuyama city in Aichi prefecture

Children and animals at the Japan Monkey Centre in Inuyama city, Aichi prefecture, seemed to be enjoying the event.

There was also a party atmosphere at Koriyama city in Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan, where residents - and pet dogs - turned out to see the eclipse.

Amaleah Barker wears a welding mask as a rare annular eclipse dims the sky, as the sun and moon align for "ring of fire" spectacle over the southwestern town of Kanarraville, Utah

This viewer in Kanarraville made sure her eyes were protected by wearing a welding mask. The annular eclipse ended its 8,500 mile (13,600km) journey across the Earth in Texas.

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In pictures: Annular eclipse

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