Total solar eclipse: What can I see in the UK? Timings and locations of what will be visible for Britons

Today, people will get to witness a magnificent display known as the "greatest spectacle" of our planet - a total solar eclipse.

In the near future, there will be a rare event where the positioning of Earth, the sun, and the moon will be precisely organized. This alignment will result in a total solar eclipse visible to residents of North America. The consequence of this phenomenon will be a widespread darkness that falls over a significant portion of the continent.

However, individuals living in certain areas of the United Kingdom will also have the opportunity to witness a partial eclipse.

So, where can you catch a glimpse of it? What makes this particular one extraordinary, and are there any precautions to take? Read on for a complete rundown.

Whilst North America is fortunate enough to witness a complete solar eclipse, individuals residing in certain regions of the United Kingdom will only have the opportunity to experience a partial eclipse.

According to Dr. Edward Bloomer, who is a top astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the eclipse that is due to happen will only have a minor impact on the West and North of the United Kingdom.

The partial eclipse will commence at 7.52pm (BST) and conclude at 8.51pm.

If the weather permits, you can find it in this location.

Around 8pm in Glasgow, approximately 12% of the sun will be concealed.

There is a possibility that Edinburgh may experience a 6% eclipse.

At exactly 7.57pm, the sun will sit directly on the horizon in Liverpool, resulting in a coverage of no more than 3.1%. This occurrence will only last for a brief period as the start time is 7.55pm and it will end at 8pm.

Belfast is going to experience a greater portion of an eclipse as it will have a maximum coverage of 28.1% at 8:10 pm. The whole duration of the time during which people can witness this event here starts from 7:55 pm and lasts till 8:14 pm.

At 8:13 pm, Stornoway in Scotland is expected to have a maximum coverage of 33.7%. The eclipse will begin at 7:53 pm and conclude at 8:23 pm in this location.

Dr Bloomer expressed his regret, stating that unfortunately, the southern and eastern regions will not be able to benefit from this opportunity.

It is possible for you to view the full eclipse live by tuning into the Sky News channel, accessing the Sky News application, or leveraging our YouTube channel.

The upcoming cosmic occurrence will be live streamed by NASA, which will showcase telescope views from various locations along the path of the eclipse.

That video can be viewed on NASA's official YouTube channel or on its website.

Aside from Belfast and Derry located in Northern Ireland, individuals residing in the Republic of Ireland will also have an opportunity to witness the partial eclipse.

If you're looking for the greatest chances to witness a solar eclipse, head west. Belmullet, a charming town located in County Mayo along the west coast of Ireland, may experience an eclipse that obscures 44% of the sun. This information was reported by UK Weather Updates on X.

According to the report, Galway is a great place to view the partial solar eclipse. It is forecasted that over 35% of the sun will be obscured.

You can also witness this event in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. However, experts estimate that only approximately 15% of the sun's surface will be obstructed in this location.

, countries situated in North America, there are some commonalities and differences that make each of them unique. One of the similarities they share is that they all have a rich cultural heritage and history. However, despite sharing a continent, there are significant differences in the languages spoken, customs, and traditions. The United States, for instance, is known for its diverse population, which has contributed to its wide range of cuisines, fashion, and diverse cultural traditions. English is the primary language spoken in the country, but Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in areas with a high concentration of Latino population. Mexico, on the other hand, has a unique history and distinctive culture that has evolved over many centuries. Spanish is the official language, but there are also 68 indigenous languages spoken throughout the country, such as Nahuatl and Maya. Mexico is famous for its vibrant music, dance, and art scene, as well as its delicious culinary traditions. Canada is known for its vast, breathtaking landscapes and multiculturalism. Although English and French are the official languages, Canada has a diverse population, with over 200 ethnic backgrounds living in the country. Canada has developed a rich tapestry of cultural traditions and customs over the years, from the First Nation's people to the multicultural and diverse communities that thrive today. Overall, although these three countries may share a continent, each has its own unique blend of cultures, languages, and traditions, making them fascinating and exciting destinations to explore.

The solar eclipse will pass through the total path that consists of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This implies that over 31 million individuals located in 15 different states will have a chance to witness the stunning spectacle of the moon covering the sun.

The duration of the phenomenon differs depending on the location, ranging from nearly 4.5 minutes in Zaragoza, Mexico to approximately one minute in Montreal, Canada.

NASA has reported that the initial spot in North America that will give people the chance to observe the complete eclipse would be Mexico's Pacific coast. The expected time for this phenomenon to happen is approximately 11.07am PDT.

After occurring, the pathway of the eclipse will go into the borders of the United States in Texas and pass through several states such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Tiny regions within Tennessee and Michigan shall also witness the complete eclipse, predating its journey towards Canada, passing through Southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The final sighting of this extraordinary celestial occurrence shall be in Newfoundland.

During a complete solar eclipse, what is it that individuals witness?

During the event, the sky will appear to darken as if it were morning or evening, and a ring will form around the sun due to the moon blocking its light.

If the weather is clear, those who are situated along the path of the eclipse will have the opportunity to observe the sun's corona - the outer layer of the sun which is usually hidden from sight due to the sun's brightness. As stated by NASA.

NASA advises observers to use specialized eye protection while viewing the eclipse, as it is hazardous to stare at the sun except for the brief time when the moon totally covers it.

Chris Lintott, an astrophysics professor at the University of Oxford, stated to Sky News that witnessing a complete solar eclipse is one of the most magnificent wonders of nature and could possibly be a scarce occurrence across the entire galaxy.

"I feel shivers running down my back every time," he remarked.

Partial solar eclipses are recognized for creating the illusion that the sun has been partially eaten, as opposed to being completely covered by the moon. This phenomenon occurs because the moon is unable to entirely obscure the entirety of the sun's rays.

What makes this one stand out?

This is quite peculiar as total solar eclipses are expected to occur only once every 375 years in a particular location across the globe. However, residents of Illinois in the United States will witness it for the second time in just seven years.

In August 2017, Carbondale, a city with a population of 21,000 in Illinois, witnessed a complete solar eclipse event. It is extremely unusual that the residents of the city will have another opportunity to observe a similar phenomenon in such a short span of time.

The state has gained a fresh nickname, known as the 'eclipse crossroads of America'.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stated that Southern Illinois is known as the epicenter of the solar eclipse in America since it was located directly in the path of totality in 2017 and will experience it once more in 2024.

Scientists are also thrilled for some reasons.

Scientists, both those who are experts in their field and those who are just starting out, have made plans to conduct experiments and make observations during the period of darkness on Earth.

According to Pam Melroy, NASA's second in command, there will be a completely new chance to examine the connection between the planet Earth, its satellite the moon, and the star at the center of our solar system, the sun.

Many organizations, including the American space agency, will dedicate their efforts to studying the corona - the outer layer of the sun that remains invisible due to the sun's extreme brightness.

When an eclipse occurs, the corona's bright ring can be observed emerging from the shadow's background. This region is much hotter than the surface of the sun and is responsible for generating solar wind.

The corona's heating process remains a mystery to scientists. They are perplexed by how it can reach such high temperatures.

The experts at NASA are eager to gather additional information and explanations about this subject. They plan to deploy research airplanes at an altitude of 50,000ft (which is approximately 9.5 miles high) to carry out a series of investigations on April 8th.

There are several things they want to watch, including:

Numerous individuals who are not professional scientists are anticipated to participate in the observation of Monday's eclipse. They will examine phenomena such as the hush that falls over birds and other animals, the decrease in temperature caused by the sun's obstruction, and how communications are affected.

American college students are planning to launch numerous weather balloons to keep an eye on variations in the atmosphere.

Do any cautionary health advisories exist?

Agreed. Your eyes may suffer permanent harm if you attempt to view the eclipse using regular sunglasses.

If you intend to observe the eclipse, then it is essential that you wear appropriate eclipse glasses. These glasses are far darker than your average sunglasses- in fact, NASA states they are "thousands of times darker."

It's important to verify that they're functional, as fraudulent merchants take advantage of impending eclipses and may deceive you into purchasing a fake set.

The guidance given by the American Astronomical Society consists of three measures to ensure that your glasses are secure.

Wear the glasses inside and observe your surroundings. You ought not to be able to see anything apart from exceedingly bright lights, which will appear faint through the lenses. If you can detect other things, such as furnishings or photographs on the wall, then your glasses are not dark enough for looking at the sun.

Once you have confirmed that your eyeglasses are suitable for indoor use, it's time to venture outdoors. Select a sunny day, put your glasses on and observe your surroundings once more. Bear in mind that you should not be able to see anything through them except for the faint gleam of the sun reflecting off a sleek exterior or a small body of water.

To check if your glasses are suitable for viewing the Sun, do the criss-cross pattern test. After that, you can observe the Sun for a very short time. If your glasses are verified safe, you will see the Sun's distinct circular shape in moderate brightness. Depending on the glasses' filter, the Sun may have varying colors such as white, blue-white, yellow or orange.

The AAS states that if you believe that your glasses have successfully passed all of these assessments, then they are most likely considered "safe."

Do you know when the UK will experience a complete solar eclipse again?

In 2026, a partial eclipse will be observable throughout 90% of the nation, but it will only be deemed a complete eclipse in 2081 in the Channel Islands or 2090 in the South West.

The UK's previous complete solar eclipse sighting was in 1999, showing up over Cornwall and areas of Devon. Regrettably, clouds obstructed the view from the majority of other regions where it was expected to be seen.

Full solar eclipses typically happen around once every year and a half. However, your ability to witness one is determined by both your geographic location and the weather conditions. Partial eclipses, on the other hand, occur anywhere from two to five times per year. Once again, your viewing opportunities are subject to the same factors: geography and weather.

ewable from the UK during the upcoming total solar eclipse in 2024. Sky News has released information on the total solar eclipse that is set to take place in 2024. The article focuses on the timings and locations of the eclipse and what people in the UK can expect to see. If you're interested in witnessing this rare event, be sure to check out the article for more details.