On Monday, a total solar eclipse is expected to occur over North America, spanning from Mexico to the eastern tip of Canada. Although the phenomenon will be less dramatic in the UK, some parts of the country may be able to witness a partial eclipse. David Levy, a science author, explains that while a partial eclipse is interesting, “there is simply nothing in the world like a total eclipse”, which occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or most of the Sun’s rays from reaching our planet.
A total solar eclipse happens on Earth every 18 months on average. The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in the US was in 2017, and the next significant view of one won’t occur until 2045. The Moon’s full shadow will end its journey across the Earth in the Atlantic Ocean roughly 620 miles (1,000 km) from Cornwall, but parts of western UK may be able to spot a partial eclipse just before sunset by standing on high ground with clear skies, and looking westward from approximately Fowey in Cornwall to Berwick upon Tweed in Northumberland.
It is important to remember to never look directly at the Sun as its UV rays can damage your eyes. During an eclipse, experts advise the use of solar eclipse glasses to protect your eyes, which have a special filter blocking harmful light. If you can’t obtain such glasses, it’s possible to make projection boxes with two pieces of paper, with one pierced by a pinhole allowing the Sun’s rays to pass through and reflecting on the second piece to provide a clear, safe image.
For those outside of North America who wish to observe the eclipse, the BBC will broadcast live coverage on its website, featuring video updates from reporters stationed at the eclipse’s path. The path of totality, or locations where the total eclipse can be viewed, includes cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo in the US, and Hamilton, Montreal, and Gander in Canada.
The UK’s last total solar eclipse occurred in 1999, witnessed by thousands in Cornwall. The next partial solar eclipse expected to be visible in the UK will take place on March 29th, 2025, when around 30-40 percent of the Sun’s rays are set to be blocked. However, the next full solar eclipse is not set to occur until September 23, 2090, according to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More