People across the country will look to the skies on Wednesday evening as a solar eclipse occurs, with crowds set to flock to a special Eclipse on the Tyne event in Gateshead to mark the occasion.
Over 90 per cent of the Sun will be hidden by the Moon, in what has been branded as the best partial solar eclipse the nation will experience for 90 years. It will begin at 6pm, so attendees are advised to have eclipse glasses or DIY protection ready.
Viewing spots and event details
Recommended spots to view the eclipse include St Mary's Lighthouse, which comes highly recommended by experts, and the Angel of the North. Another location is Kielder Observatory in Northumberland, whose team is co-ordinating an event at the BALTIC for the eclipse.
As soon as tickets were made available for the event, they were snapped up quickly, with the observatory blown away by the response. A crowd of around 2,500 are expected to attend Eclipse on the Tyne, with each ticket holder receiving a free pair of certified solar eclipse glasses.
Event features and safety measures
The event will feature live astronomy commentary from the Kielder Observatory team, family-friendly activities, solar photography demonstrations, and opportunities to learn about the science behind eclipses. No tickets will be available on the door, and only those with a valid event ticket can access the viewing area.
Attendees must bring their ticket and collect their free glasses from the collection point at The Glasshouse. Solar eclipse glasses must be worn to view the eclipse safely. Entry opens at 6pm, with the event running until 8pm.
In addition to the live view, the event will include a broadcast of the total solar eclipse taking place in Spain, shown on giant screens at Baltic Square.
