SOLAR ECLIPSE

Sky gazers around the world excitedly gathered outside to watch the rare annular eclipse, which produces a 'ring of fire' around the sun, when it swept across Asia and the western United States on Sunday evening.

But these incredible pictures show that all those Earth-bound astronomy fans had it wrong, and that the best vantage point from which to examine the unusual phenomenon was in fact space, where the view could not be impeded by pesky obstructions such as clouds.

The photographs were taken by the Japanese-owned Hindu telescope satellite, which orbits the Earth but is constantly pointed at the Sun, allowing for permanent observation of the body at the centre of our solar system.

Along with the stunning images, a video has emerged which shows the progress of the moon across the face of the sun, captured by photographer Cory Poole who edited together 700 separate photographs taken with his telescope.

                                                                                 But the view wasn't too bad from Earth, as the moon slowly 'bit into' the sun, creating incredible visual effects such as a golden heart gleaming through branches in Los Angles. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, created incredible visual effects around the world - and photographers let their technical imaginations run wild with 'trick' shots such as this heart-shaped sun.

In Japan, 'eclipse tours' were arranged at schools and parks, on pleasure boats and even private airplanes. Similar events were held in China and Taiwan as well, with sky watchers warned to protect their eyes.

People from Colorado, Oklahoma and as far away as Canada traveled to Albuquerque to enjoy one of the best vantage points at a park on the edge of the city.

Members of the crowd smiled and cheered and children yelled with excitement as the moon crossed the sun and the blazing halo of light began to form. Some watched the eclipse by placing their viewing glasses on the front of their smart phones.

Eventually, the moon centered and covered about 96 percent of the sun.

'That's got to be the prettiest thing I've ever seen,' said Brent Veltri of Saluda, Colorado.

At the Taipei Astronomical Museum in Taiwan, the spectacle emerged from dark clouds for only about 30 seconds. But the view was nearly perfect against Manila's orange skies.

'It's amazing. We do this for the awe [and] it has not disappointed. I am awed, literally floored,' said astronomical hobbyist Garry Andreessen, whose long camera lenses were lined up with those of about 10 other gazers in a downtown Manila park.

Hong Kong sky watchers weren't so lucky.