Eclipse 2018: Is there a solar eclipse today on Friday 13th?

Friday 13th is notoriously associated with bad luck and superstition, with many associating the number 13 with bad omens.

This is the second month this year on which the 13th has fallen on a Friday, the first being April.

Superstition around the date of Friday 13th is thought to have begun with the Last Supper, attended by 13 people.

Jesus and his 12 disciples gathered together the night before his crucifixion on Good Friday.

Another historical association with the unlucky date is that King Philip of France arrested hundreds of Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307.

Is there a solar eclipse today?

For stargazers, there will be disappointment, as the partial solar eclipse has already taken place in the early hours of this morning.

This was the first time a solar eclipse occurred on a Friday 13th in 44 years.

The next time a solar eclipse will happen on a Friday 13th will be in 62 years in 2080.

On average solar eclipses happen 2.4 times a year.

Unfortunately for those wanting to witness the solar eclipse taking place this morning, very few people managed to see it.

The eclipse passed over the South Pacific and India Oceans, meaning only people on the southern Australian coast and parts of New Zealand could catch a glimpse.

The eclipse reached its peak over Antarctica in the early hours of this morning.

The solar event has brought even more superstition to the already unlucky day, as prominent US evangelist and pastor Paul Begley took to YouTube to claim that “demonic forces” may be at play today.

He also referenced the upcoming Blood Moon which is taking place on July 27.

Speaking to his more than 250,000 followers Mr Begley said: “Coming up this Friday the 13th will be a partial solar eclipse. That’s right.

"As I was telling you guys a week or so ago, this Blood Moon that’s approaching on July 27 – before it gets here you have a partial solar eclipse which will be over Tasmania.

“You’ve heard of the Tasmanian Devil, well demonic forces will be at play because this is a Friday the 13th partial solar eclipse.

“It’s also a very high Satanic ritual day.”

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