Friday’s solar eclipse will probably be visible in the Netherlands after all, weather bureau Weerplaza said on Thursday afternoon.

The partial eclipse of the sun is due to take place from 09.30 hours, as the moon moves slowly in front of the sun. The high point will be reached around 10.30, when 81% of the sun will be covered. By 11.52, the eclipse will be over.

The best chance of seeing the eclipse is in the north and west of the country, where clouds will clear. However, some mist and cloud will remain in the south and east.

News agency ANP reports there has been a run on special glasses to protect eyes while looking at the eclipse. One chain of high street opticians has given away 200,000 pairs, ANP said.

According to Britain’s Independent newspaper, two other rare celestial events also take place on Friday: a supermoon and the spring equinox.

A supermoon, happens when the full or new moon is closest to the earth, making it look much bigger than it usually does. The spring equinox refers to the time of the year when the day and night are of equal duration, mid-way between the longest and shortest days.