Millions of Americans will be able to see a total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April, though only a partial eclipse will be visible from Ireland and the UK.

Six prisoners in New York’s Woodbourne Correctional Facility are suing local prison authorities over their refusal to let them view the eclipse, The Hill reports.

The prisoners argue that the decision violates their religious rights. They are a Baptist, a Muslim, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of the Afro-Cuban religion Santería and an atheist.

The celestial event is “a rare, natural phenomenon with great religious significance to many” and warrants “gathering, celebration, worship and prayer”, their court filing states.