A rare partial solar eclipse will be visible across the whole of Wales on Wednesday evening, with the moon set to obscure between 90% and 96% of the sun depending on location. It is the most visible eclipse in three decades, and another with this level of coverage will not occur until 2050.
Timings and visibility
The partial solar eclipse can be observed in Wales from 6.13pm to 8.06pm. As the eclipse happens late in the evening as the sun sets, an ideal vantage point would be somewhere offering an unobstructed view of the west-northwest horizon. The moon will start to obscure the sun as the eclipse reaches its peak between 7pm and 7.15pm.
The sky will become noticeably darker during the phenomenon. The Met Office has forecast clear skies, so weather will hopefully not be a problem.
Viewing the eclipse safely
The government is advising people to either use indirect viewing methods or wear genuine eclipse glasses with specially designed filters that meet international safety standards ISO 12312-2:2015(E). It is not safe to just view it through sunglasses.
Solar eclipse glasses have become completely unavailable across Wales. Nevertheless, those hoping to witness the first near-total solar eclipse in the UK since 1999 can still do so safely using several alternative methods. One of the most straightforward alternatives requires nothing more than an ordinary kitchen colander. Rather than gazing directly towards the Sun, observers can use its perforations to cast images of the eclipse onto the ground or another flat surface. Another option is to create a pinhole viewer at home.
