Millions of Brits and people across the world are to be graced with a captivating partial solar eclipse in a week’s time where nearly half the sun will turn black. A partial eclipse takes place when the sun, moon and Earth form an alignment but not in a perfect straight line. Therefore, the moon only seems to take a portion out of the sun and doesn’t totally cover the solar surface.
This kind of solar display only happens once every 18 months or so – astronomy enthusiasts will be left waiting until August 12, 2026 to catch the next partial eclipse visible from the UK. The event begins with the very first point of contact on Saturday, March 29, at 10.07 am GMT when the moon’s leading edge first makes contact with the edge of the sun. The maximum eclipse – when the greatest portion of the sun is hidden – will occur at approximately 11.05am.
At its maximum around 30%-40% of the sun will be covered, it will look as though the moon’s silhouette is taking a bite out of the solar disk. At 12.03pm, the edge of the moon leaves the edge of the sun and the eclipse finishes.
The partial eclipse will last for around one hour and 53 minutes. Only 11 partial, annular, or total eclipses have been visible from the British Isles since 2003.
The best place to see it will be the northwest of Scotland, where 47.8% of the sun will be covered by the moon. Whereas, those in the southeast of England will get the smallest eclipse, only 28.1% of the sun will be hidden by the moon.
Observers in far north Quebec, Canada, will experience the deepest eclipse at 93% obscuration.
Those getting excited about catching a glimpse of this rare phenomenon are being urged to exercise caution. People are being reminded to under no circumstances use binoculars or a telescope to view the eclipse as the brightness of the sun will potentially cause permanent damage or even blindness.
Looking at the sun directly, even during a partial solar eclipse, can cause temporary and permanent eye damage in less than a minute. Solar filters for cameras, binoculars and telescopes are required to protect your eyes and equipment.
Those wishing to look at the eclipse directly, should purchase solar eclipse viewing glasses. You can also watch the eclipse live via the Royal Greenwich Museum website feed.
