Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
In County Armagh, anticipation grew at Northern Ireland’s sole planetarium ahead of a significant astronomical event. People of all ages gathered at the Armagh Observatory to observe what is set to be the largest solar eclipse visible from the island until September 2090. Across Ireland, over 90% of the sun was obscured during the early evening on Wednesday, with the peak coverage in Belfast reaching 93.05%. The observatory hosted a viewing party on a hill to provide the attendees with an optimal vantage point for this rare occurrence.
Ed Ronayne and his daughter Genevieve, from County Tipperary, expressed their excitement about witnessing the eclipse from the observatory. Genevieve commented, “It’ll be really cool,” adding that it was something special to say, “I’ve been around for a solar eclipse.” Ed revealed that he had missed the last solar eclipse in 1999 due to travel abroad, so this event was especially meaningful as it was Genevieve’s first opportunity to see one. “And sure this little one wasn’t even around so it’s her first chance to see it,” he said.
Other visitors had travelled considerable distances for the occasion, including Sharon Walsh and her daughter Mia who made the trip from Dublin. Sharon said, “We were looking for somewhere to see the eclipse and just thought it’d be nice to mark such an event.” She remarked on the rarity by joking, “There won’t be another one until 2090 and I’ll probably be dead by then,” highlighting how unique the experience was. Mia added that she was “really excited to see what it’s like” since it would be her first time witnessing a solar eclipse.
At the Armagh Observatory, senior education officer Heather Alexander reflected on the significance of the event, noting, “It’s crazy to think that a lot of the people coming to see the eclipse weren’t even alive back in 1999.” She recalled her own experience viewing the previous eclipse on television with solar filter glasses and emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “We will not see another eclipse like this again on the island of Ireland until 2090 which is pretty insane.” The excitement surrounding the eclipse was unprecedented according to her, describing it as “astronomical.” Meanwhile, in Belfast, hundreds gathered at Queen’s University despite cloudy skies, hoping to catch glimpses of the partial eclipse as the sun occasionally peeked through the clouds
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.