How to watch Saturday's partial solar eclipse

Prepare yourself for an exciting event happening this Saturday morning! If the weather cooperates, you will have the chance to witness a partial solar eclipse, where the Moon will cover a portion of the Sun. This fascinating phenomenon will be visible throughout the UK, and during its peak, the Moon is expected to obscure about 30 to 50% of the Sun. The best locations for clear views will be in south-east England, East Anglia, and the Midlands. Interestingly, in some areas of northeastern Canada, observers will see up to 92% of the Sun covered! It is crucial to remember that you must wear special eclipse glasses to safely view the Sun, as looking directly at it can cause serious eye damage. So, when can you see the eclipse? A map has been created to show the UK and the times when the eclipse will reach its maximum in various cities. For instance, in Edinburgh, the peak will occur at 11:07, while in Belfast, it will be at 11:02. Other cities, including Manchester, Cardiff, London, and Plymouth, will also have their specific peak times. This map is sourced from timeanddate. com and is credited to the BBC. This partial solar eclipse will not only be visible in the UK but also across Europe, parts of Northwestern Africa, Greenland, Iceland, and some regions in the northeastern US and eastern Canada, with varying visibility levels. The eclipse will begin at 10:07 in the UK and will conclude around midday. Different areas will experience different amounts of the Sun being covered. For example, if you are in the Outer Hebrides, you will see about 47% of the Sun obscured, while in Dover, only about 28% will be covered. To ensure you don’t miss this spectacular event, check the exact times for your location! Anna Gammon-Ross, a Senior Planetarium Astronomer at Royal Museums Greenwich, expressed her excitement, stating, 'This is an excellent chance to go out, look – safely – and to be able to see the movement of the solar system for yourself. ' She believes it is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the universe and witness its wonders in action. Now, what exactly is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, blocking some or all of the Sun's light. There are different types of solar eclipses, depending on how much of the Sun is obscured. In a partial solar eclipse, the Moon partially covers the Sun, leaving a crescent-shaped section visible. In an annular solar eclipse, the Moon is directly in front of the Sun but appears smaller, creating a thin, bright ring of sunlight around its edges. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing a glowing outer atmosphere known as the corona. The next partial solar eclipse in the UK will take place on August 12, 2026. During this time, some regions, such as the Arctic, eastern Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, will experience a rarer total eclipse. The UK will not witness another full solar eclipse for another 65 years, until September 23, 2090, with Cornwall being the only location in the country to experience the event in its totality, attracting thousands of visitors to the area. How can you safely watch a solar eclipse? It is essential to never look directly at the Sun, as this can lead to serious eye damage or even blindness. You should wear special eclipse glasses that are designed to filter out harmful UV rays and reduce the Sun's brightness, making it safe to look directly at the eclipse. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient because they do not block enough light to protect your eyes from the Sun's intense brightness. Miss Gammon-Ross explained, 'If you blocked as much sunlight with your sunglasses as eclipse glasses do, you wouldn't be able to see where you were going! ' If you do not have access to eclipse glasses, you can create a simple pinhole camera using two sheets of cardboard or even use a colander to project the Sun's image safely onto the ground. Local astronomical societies may host eclipse events with telescopes equipped with solar filters. The Royal Observatory in Greenwich will also be hosting a live stream of the March 2025 solar eclipse, allowing viewers across the UK to experience the event online in real-time. Looking at the Sun without protection can cause permanent retinal damage and blindness, even after just a few seconds of exposure. Will the weather be clear enough to see the eclipse? The weather on Saturday morning could be a bit tricky for some, and the chances of seeing the eclipse will vary depending on your location in the UK. The best chances for clear skies are likely to be found in south-east England, East Anglia, and the Midlands. There may be some high clouds, but they should not obstruct the view too much. In Wales, as well as in the northern and western parts of England, the chances of seeing the eclipse are a bit lower. While there will be some clear spells, cloud cover is expected to increase during the morning. Sky gazers in Scotland and Northern Ireland may face challenges due to thick clouds and rain, especially in the north and west. If you have any photos or videos of the solar eclipse, we would love to see them!