The UK's biggest solar eclipse this century will be visible from every part of the UK today. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto Earth.
Peak times and visibility
The highly-anticipated eclipse will be visible in the UK around 7pm. It will peak between 7.02pm and 7.15pm, depending on your location. The sky will turn slightly dimmer as the Moon passes and blocks the Sun's light. It will be the most visible partial eclipse over England since 1999, when Cornwall witnessed totality.
In Liverpool, the moment the moon first covers the disc of the sun is expected to be at 6.13pm. The eclipse maximum will happen at 7.10pm, before the spectacle comes to an end at 8.03pm when the Moon is no longer covering the Sun.
Global and future eclipses
Parts of Spain, northern Portugal and Iceland will be treated to the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe in 27 years. The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK won't be until September 23, 2090.
Safety advice
Ahead of the eclipse, President Professor Jim Wild from the Royal Astronomical Society said: "I would encourage everyone to enjoy the spectacle safely."
Never look directly at the Sun without appropriate solar viewing equipment. Certified eclipse glasses, specially designed solar filters for telescopes and binoculars, or indirect methods such as pinhole projectors are all safe ways to observe the event.
"With the right precautions, this eclipse promises to be an inspiring experience for seasoned astronomers and first-time skywatchers alike."
Solar eclipse glasses or specialist telescopes are the only safe way to view the eclipse directly, or the eclipse can be projected using a pinhole or household items like a colander which has lots of holes in it.
Forecast and viewing locations
The latest Met Office forecast shows that most of England and Wales will have clear skies on Wednesday evening. The best locations to view the eclipse are in the far south western areas of Devon and Cornwall, where up to 96% of the sun will be obscured by the Moon.
You can use our postcode search tool below to see the exact moment when the Moon will start to move in front of the Sun where you are, and what time a peak will be reached.
The next time the moon obscures as much of the sun will be in 2081 and the next total solar eclipse in the UK will be in 2090.
