A partially-eclipsed sun is seen in Amman November 3, 2013. Skywatchers across the world are in for a treat Sunday as the final solar eclipse of 2013 takes on a rare hybrid form. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

A rare solar 'hybrid' eclipse spanning four global continents has stunned millions of people around the world.

"I saw a black disc progressively cover the sun. It's magnificent," Clarence Diledou from Gabon's port town of Port-Gentil told AFP.

"Throughout your lifetime, if you're living in the same place, you'll perhaps see a total solar eclipse once or maybe twice," Jose Afonso, director of the Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Lisbon in Portugal, was quoted by Sky News.

"It's a very uncommon event for any place on Earth."

Spanning southern Europe, the Middle East, North America's east coast and the northern half of South America, the best view was seen in Africa. One of the best views reportedly occurred in Sibiloi national park in northern Kenya.

Girls from the Daasanach tribe sit outside their hut at the venue of a welcoming ceremony for tourists ahead of the hybrid solar eclipse expected to take place on Sunday, at the remote Sibiloi National Park on the shores of Lake Turkana November 2, 2013. REUTERS/Noor Khamis

Tourists and colourfully dressed Kenyans gathered together on the edge of the desert lake Turkana to witness the event. The total darkness, which lasted for up to a minute, got partially obscured by cloud.

"The bad weather unfortunately spoiled the party a bit," Mr Diledou said.

Solar eclipses, wherein the moon goes directly between the path of the Earth and the Sun, blocking part or all of the Sun for a few minutes, is an occurrence the world's inhabitants is already somehow used to.

Video Source: Youtube/ TruthTube451 (AKA MrGlasgowTruther)

Sunday's occurrence however was rare because even as the moon completely blocked the sun at times, it left a ring of the sun visible at other times. Science calls this a rare solar 'hybrid' eclipse.

People who went to personally see the natural occurrence brought and used special glasses.

People observe a solar eclipse in Amman November 3, 2013. Sky watchers across the world are in for a treat Sunday as the final solar eclipse of 2013 takes on a rare hybrid form. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Those without thought of solutions, among them putting a bowl of water in a courtyard to be able to watch the reflected eclipse on the water.

"I saw the brief passage of the eclipse in my bowl. But it was over quickly and the black clouds spoiled the effect," Pauline Koumba said.

Video Source: Youtube/ BBC News