Amateur astronomers in Canberra will be looking skyward this afternoon to see a partial solar eclipse.

Onlookers from across south-eastern Australia will be able to observe the eclipse through their projectors, but Sydney, Canberra and Hobart are expected to get the best views.

The eclipse - caused as the moon passes between the earth and the sun - will be unveiled in Brisbane first, finishing in Canberra this afternoon at around 4.30pm.

Anyone interested in having a look at the eclipse has been urged to use a projection device - such as a pinhole camera or telescope - to avoid eye damage from looking into the sun.