The most significant solar eclipse since 1999 is just days away, and new maps reveal the best places in the UK to witness the stunning celestial show. On Wednesday next week, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's face and leaving a narrow strip of the Earth's surface in darkness.
What to expect
The European Space Agency states: "With the Sun’s dazzling disc covered, we get a unique chance to see its wispy atmosphere. Stars and planets appear in the sky. The temperature drops. The wind picks up. And birds and insects may behave as if it’s nighttime."
While the eclipse will reach full totality in parts of Spain, Portugal, and Iceland, the UK will not experience totality this time. However, many places across the country will see up to 96 per cent coverage, meaning the Moon will appear to take a "bite" out of the Sun, dimming its light and creating twilight conditions.
Best viewing spots in the UK
Cornwall and Devon will see the most coverage, with Penzance reaching 95.76 per cent at 7.16pm and Hugh Town in the Isles of Scilly reaching 96.44 per cent. Most of the UK will see over 90 per cent coverage, making it the deepest solar eclipse here since 1999.
For those in major cities, the eclipse times and coverage are as follows: Edinburgh (90.7 per cent, 7.05pm), Glasgow (91.4 per cent, 7.06pm), Belfast (93.1 per cent, 7.08pm), Leeds (90.8 per cent, 7.09pm), Manchester (91.4 per cent, 7.10pm), Liverpool (91.8 per cent, 7.10pm), Sheffield (91 per cent, 7.10pm), Birmingham (91.8 per cent, 7.11pm), Cardiff (93.2 per cent, 7.13pm), London (91.4 per cent, 7.13pm), and Exeter (94 per cent, 7.15pm).
