Today marks an exciting day in the celestial calendar: a solar eclipse. In the UK, we're set to see our best solar eclipse in 27 years, with up to 96 per cent of the Sun disappearing behind the Moon.
While those in parts of Spain, northern Portugal and Iceland are set to witness a total eclipse that will transform day into night, the UK will be treated to a deep partial solar eclipse.
Unlike the 2025 partial solar eclipse, in which around 30-40 per cent of the Sun was obscured by the Moon, tonight's eclipse will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 eclipse.
Exact time to watch the solar eclipse
The exact timings of the partial solar eclipse will vary slightly, depending on where you are in the UK. The maximum eclipse will be between about 7.05pm and 7.13pm.
In Manchester, the spectacle will begin at 6.13pm and end at 8.03pm, with the maximum eclipse at 7.10pm.
Where to see the partial solar eclipse
Since the Sun will be beginning to set at the time of the solar eclipse, and therefore quite low in the sky, the best place to see the eclipse is anywhere with a clear view of the western horizon.
In and around Greater Manchester, a number of viewing events are taking place. For example, Heaton Park Astronomy Group will be holding a free viewing event in Heaton Park with solar filtered telescopes and binoculars and special eclipse glasses.
In Cheshire, Jodrell Bank is also hosting a viewing event. The observatory has said it will be open late for the eclipse, until 8pm. If skies are clear, it will offer guided solar observing sessions, as well as a number of other family-friendly activities.
It's also vital that anyone planning to witness the spectacle does not look directly at the Sun at any point during the event.
How to watch the eclipse safely
Health officials have warned that those viewing the eclipse must not directly look at the Sun, or risk causing damage to your retina - the thin, light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye.
Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: “The safest way to enjoy the eclipse is to observe it indirectly, such as by watching a live broadcast.
“Looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision. Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens.
“Symptoms may only become apparent several hours later and can include blurred vision, a central blind or dark spot, distorted vision, reduced colour perception and increased sensitivity to light. While some people recover over weeks or months, others can be left with permanent visual impairment.”
Imo Bell, planetarium astronomer at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, said a simple kitchen item may also be used to watch the eclipse.
She said: "Ideally a solar telescope is an amazing way to witness it, and if you don't have one of them then you can look into whether your local astronomy society is doing any events."
Ms Bell added: "If all else fails, you can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in," Imo says. "Point the colander towards the Sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow of the colander you'll be able to see the eclipse in the holes, which is really cool."
For anyone who has purchased solar eclipse glasses, it is essential that you ensure they are ISO 12312-2 certified.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also warned that sunglasses - no matter how dark - do not provide adequate protection for viewing a solar eclipse.
"They reduce glare, making it feel more comfortable to look at the Sun for longer, while still allowing harmful solar radiation to reach the retina," it wrote in a blog post. "Never use regular sunglasses to look at the Sun during an eclipse."
