News station accidentally shows intimate body part instead of solar eclipse on live TV

While viewing a solar eclipse it's important not to stare directly at the Sun as you may risk damaging your eyes.

But viewers of a Mexican news channel may have ended up averting their eyes for a very different reason during its coverage of the eclipse.

Like many other news outlets, RCG media had been broadcasting coverage of this week's total solar eclipse on April 8.

When a total solar eclipse happens it can only be fully viewed on the path of totality, where everything lines up.

For this eclipse, the path of totality began far out in the Pacific Ocean, before making landfall in Mexico, then north east across the US and heading out from Canada into the North Atlantic.

So, the news station in Mexico was geared up as those in the country would be among the first of many to witness the celestial event.

Unfortunately, an on-air mistake meant that the Sun and Moon were not the only two orbs which were broadcast.

The total solar eclipse. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The station had reportedly asked its viewers to submit their own footage of the celestial event.

However, it accidentally broadcast a video of a pair of testicles in the midst of its coverage.

Fortunately, producers on the show were able to quickly cut away from the clip, but by that time it was too late to stop it from going out.

The video in question focussed on a bright light before the testes dipped into frame, obscuring it.

Presenters were left in visible shock after the clip, and quickly worked to move on from the embarrassing moment.

People took to social media to share their thoughts on the moment which has since gone viral.

One wrote: "Solar eclipse vs testicles, come on, it's a simple mistake. It can happen to anybody."

Hosts had to think fast. (RCG Media)

Of course, there were many puns with one person joking: "Somebody really dropped the ball on this one."

Another highlighted: "Having worked in media my entire life - I can only imagine how much screaming there was in the locker room."

While someone else commented: "This is the most elaborate 'DEEZ NUTS' joke I've ever seen."

And another added: "They broadcasted the egglipse."

UNILAD has contacted RCG Media for comment.

While total solar eclipses occur around every 18 months or so, they can only be viewed in the path of totality in a specific place.

Often this will pass over the sea or a remote location, but sometimes, as on this occasion, the majority of it will be over land allowing people to marvel at it.