All the street lights were turned off in the capital of Iceland and other towns so residents could go star gazing.

The writer who came up with the idea was pleased with the outcome, even though rain and clouds obscured the view.

Andri Snaer Magnason told Reuters, "All the streets lights are off, we can see a few stars... I would have liked to have a completely clear sky, but you can't have everything. But it was nice."

Magnason conceived the idea as a way of launching a film festival in Iceland.

Reykjavik police superintendent Karl Valsson told Reuters that authorities viewed the event as an exercise for what could occur during a blackout.

He said, "It is not total darkness, but there is a huge difference (from when the lights are on)... I think it is quite interesting and we in the police supported it." About 200,000 people live in Reykjavik.