The UK's most significant solar eclipse since 1999 is almost upon us. On Wednesday, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring the star's face and leaving a narrow strip of the Earth's surface in complete darkness. This solar eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, with some places like Spain, Portugal and Iceland due to observe a rare total eclipse.
The UK will see up to 96 per cent coverage in the Isles of Scilly, with most of the country expected to get above 90 per cent. A partial eclipse appears as if the Moon has taken a bite out of the Sun, leading to twilight conditions as opposed to full night-like darkness. The last total eclipse visible from the UK was on August 11, 1999, with Cornwall and parts of Devon in the path of "totality".
August 2, 2027: Partial Eclipse
On August 2, 2027, a partial solar eclipse will dazzle UK skies, with totality also visible in areas of southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East. In the UK, the cosmic event will begin around 9am BST, reach its maximum at around 10am, and end about an hour later. Londoners are expected to see roughly 42 per cent coverage, while southern and south-western areas could see slightly more.
September 3, 2081: Near-Total Eclipse
The next solar eclipse that will see the Sun covered by the Moon more than 90 per cent won't be until 2081. Up to 99 per cent of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon on September 3 that year, with Cornwall and the south coast again the best places to observe it from, according to Royal Museums Greenwich (RSG).
September 23, 2090: Total Eclipse
The UK will need to wait another nine years until the rare celestial event makes a return. The British Isles will finally get a total solar eclipse - the first one since 1999 - on September 23, 2090. The best place to view it will once again be the southern coast.
Wednesday's eclipse will, therefore, be our best chance at watching such an event, as none of the decades in the near future will bring anything like it. RSG states that the next partial eclipses will be in 2030, with 50 per cent coverage, 2053, with 40 per cent coverage and 2066, with 60 per cent coverage. These will be followed by 2075 and 2082, with 70 per cent coverage, and 2088 with 40 per cent coverage. "A handful" more minor eclipses will also come in between.
