... For many Europeans, the Sun and New Moon rose together on January 4 in a partial solar eclipse. ... Eclipsing the Sun . ... Skywatchers throughout much of Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, were treated to the first eclipse of the new year on January 4, a partial eclipse of the Sun. ... The Winter Hexagon involves some of the brightest stars visible, together forming a large and easily found pattern in the winter sky of Earth's northern hemisphere. ... Fireworks Galaxy NGC 6946 . ...