A partial solar eclipse will be visible across New Zealand on next week, with people in Canterbury expected to get a clear view.

On Monday September 22, a rare partial solar eclipse should be visible (weather permitting) in the early hours across the country.

The event will be observable from most of the country, with Christchurch and other major cities enjoying a clear view of the eclipse.

The eclipse would be visible between 6am and 9am, with the “maximum eclipse” occurring at 7am, according to timeanddate.com

The moon will appear to take a “bite” from the sun for observers across the South Pacific, including New Zealand, a sliver of eastern Australia, several Pacific islands and portions of Antarctica.

The eclipse will see the Moon pass in front of the Sun, covering part of the Sun’s surface as viewed from Earth.

Observers will see over 70% of the solar disk occulted by its natural satellite.

A partial solar eclipse is a rare event, which hasn’t been seen in New Zealand for at least a decade.