The UK is set to witness its most significant solar eclipse in 54 years on Wednesday, with over 90% of the Sun obscured by the Moon. The Royal Greenwich Observatory has issued a warning that sunglasses are not safe for viewing this cosmic event.
Eclipse Timing and Visibility
The eclipse will occur between 6.17pm and 8.06pm on August 12, with the maximum coverage expected around 7.13pm. This is the most the Sun has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.
Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the observatory, told the Press Association: "It's not a total eclipse, but over 90% is really exciting. We're not going to get one this good for a really long time."
Safe Viewing Methods
Ms Bell emphasized the dangers of improper viewing: "You can't just go out and expect to have a look because it's really dangerous for your eyes." She recommended solar eclipse glasses, which are vastly different from sunglasses, as they block out enough light to make viewing safe.
For those without specialized equipment, she suggested a simple household solution: "You can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in – 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."
Forecast and Viewing Tips
The Met Office stated it is too early to predict the clearest skies, but meteorologist Tom Morgan indicated that southern and eastern England are likely the best locations. He noted: "Northern Ireland, Scotland and western parts of England have a slightly lower chance of seeing the eclipse."
Ms Bell advised viewers to find a vantage point facing west with minimal obstructions: "It's really important that viewers from the UK find a good view of the western horizon and make sure their view of the Sun isn't blocked by any buildings or hills."
The next time the Moon obscures as much of the Sun will be in 2081, with the next total solar eclipse in the UK expected in 2090.
