The partially eclipsed sun swings low over misty mountains in Changchun, China, early this morning.

The first hint of the moon's silhouette taking a bite out of the sun's disk was seen from northern China and northern Japan between 4 and 5 a.m., local time, on Thursday. Shortly thereafter, about 60 percent of the sun went dark over Siberia, Russia.

Moving east to west, the solar eclipse's pathway crossed the date line, so far-northern European observers saw the eclipse around 11:30 p.m., local time, on Wednesday.

Solar Eclipse Pictures: See Last Night's Midnight Madness

A solar eclipse at night? See the rare sky show enjoyed by high-north stargazers last night.