Thousands of Londoners hit the capital’s streets and parks on Wednesday to witness the biggest solar eclipse in decades. Crowds flocked to viewing spots such as the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and Primrose Hill, while scores of shops sold out of protective glasses.
Eclipse Timings and Peak Obscuration
The eclipse, the country’s fullest for the next 54 years, began in London at 6.17pm and peaked at 7.13pm before finishing at 8.06pm. At its peak, more than 90 per cent of the Sun was obscured by the Moon, the most it has been blocked in UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.
Viewing Methods and Applause
People across the capital could be seen donning special glasses, while many formed homemade contraptions made from cereal boxes and colanders. A spontaneous round of applause broke out across the hills of Greenwich Park to greet the moment of peak eclipse, with many capturing the moment on their phone cameras.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory said it had sold approximately 15,000 pairs of eclipse glasses in the past month. John Lewis said colander sales increased nearly 40 per cent compared to last year, with Nasa recommending the kitchen item as a way to watch an eclipse by viewing the shadows it casts on the ground.
Spectators' Reactions
Two men, who watched the eclipse from Waterloo Bridge, told the Standard they had come all the way from India to watch it. One said: “It was fantastic. We came to London just to watch the eclipse, and have the best of the views from Parliament Square. And we came all the way from India actually, just to watch the eclipse.” Another said: “It was brilliant, really great and very cool to see the sun disappear. Like it's wild. That doesn’t happen every day.”
Veronica Orozco popped a champagne cork as she sat watching the eclipse with her neighbours in Greenwich Park, a stone’s throw from their home. Ms Orozco, who is originally from Venezuela, said: “It is my second solar eclipse. I was in Venezuela and I was young and I thought that the Sun would not come back. My dad said ‘it is science, of course it will come back.’ Now sitting here at the age of 41, it is still magical. I am sitting here with my neighbours and we have been telling each other ‘Happy Eclipse Day’.”
Mixed Reactions and Safety Advice
Others, however, were less impressed. One lady told The Standard: “It didn't live to my expectations to be honest. I expected it to be a bit of a blackout, even for just a minute. And it wasn't.” Another said: “We wanted to see it because the next one's in 2080 and well, we won't be here by then. But it wasn't as spectacular as we thought it might be.”
Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse without sufficient protection. Experts have said that only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection were recommended to be used.
