Tonight's solar eclipse, the most dramatic seen in the UK for decades, will be followed by a partial eclipse on August 2, 2027, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.
Tonight's Eclipse
Later this evening, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, blocking its light and leaving a thin strip of the Earth's surface in total darkness. This eclipse will be seen across much of the continent, with places including Spain, Portugal and Iceland due to observe a rare total eclipse. The UK will see up to 96 per cent coverage in the west and south, with most of the country expected to get above 90 per cent, reports the Mirror.
In a partial eclipse the Moon looks like it 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 Ireland was on August 11, 1999.
Next Eclipses
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.
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.
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.
Long-Term Outlook
Today'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.
