Tonight, UK residents will have the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse, and there's a common household item you can use to observe it safely. With Brits rushing to stores and depleting online stock, securing special eclipse glasses might prove challenging - however, an item in your kitchen cupboard could allow you to safely enjoy the spectacle.
This eclipse is the most significant one the country has seen since 1999, but Brits are cautioned against looking directly at the sun without specialist eyewear. Eclipse glasses have sold out in stores and online.
Safety Warnings and Guidance
The Royal Astronomical Society also warns that sunglasses and dark goggles are not safe alternatives as they often lack sufficient UV protection for direct sun viewing, which could harm your eyesight.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has provided guidance on how to safely observe the eclipse, as failing to take necessary precautions can cause permanent damage within seconds. It cautioned: "During an eclipse, the sun appears dimmer than usual. This makes it easier to look at directly - and that's precisely the problem." The reduced brightness can override the body's natural reflex to look away, allowing intense sunlight to reach and damage the retina. "This damage happens without causing any pain, so you may not realise harm is occurring until it's too late."
Using a Colander for Projection
Therefore, to ensure no harm is done, here's a method you can use to safely view the eclipse this evening. Rather than using it to drain pasta, you can utilise a colander to produce a projection of this historic phenomenon. By positioning the colander towards the sun and looking in the opposite direction, you'll witness hundreds of eclipse images being cast. This creates a mesmerising array of visuals showing the sun and the shadow falling across it.
Eye expert David Jones, consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, revealed online that this is his preferred method for observing an eclipse. He showed how it's done by positioning a blank sheet of paper behind the colander he was holding aloft. Jones said: "If you hold the colander to the sun and you look away from the sun, protecting your eyes, you can make not just one picture of the sun but a hundred all at once."
Timing and Coverage
Britain's most spectacular partial solar eclipse in almost three decades will be observable between 6pm and 8pm, depending on your location. Those in the South West are likely to witness the largest portion of the sun obscured by the moon, with approximately 95 per cent coverage. Londoners are also anticipated to see roughly 90 per cent coverage.
If you're observing the event using specialist eclipse glasses, you must verify they display the safety certification 'ISO 12312-2' or 'ISO 12312-2:2015' printed somewhere on the spectacles - without this, they cannot be considered safe.
