A rare cosmic spectacle is set to grace the skies, as a partial solar eclipse is anticipated to be visible in certain parts of the UK today.
While the final moments of the total eclipse in North America will be observed, much of the continent will be plunged into darkness, resembling a temporary night sky.
Enthusiasts across North America await eagerly for the fleeting sight, where the Sun’s corona will shine like a diamond ring in the celestial expanse. As darkness envelops the Earth, planets and comets might even grace the heavens, enhancing the awe-inspiring spectacle.
In the UK, however, only a partial eclipse will be visible, where a segment of the sun will be obscured by the moon. This phenomenon, occurring every 18 months, won’t grant the full eclipse experience to UK viewers until 2090, with a partial sighting possible tonight around sunset.
Although the total eclipse won’t be visible from the UK and Ireland, a partial eclipse could be glimpsed close to sunset, starting at 7:53 pm and ending at 8:23 pm BST. Expert forecasts indicate varying levels of visibility across regions, with Glasgow expecting around 12% sun obscuration by 8 pm BST, while Edinburgh may witness 6%, and Liverpool only 3.1%.
Cloud cover poses a potential hindrance to observing the eclipse, both in the US and the UK, with fears of obscured views.
Safety precautions remain paramount, with experts advising against looking directly at the sun and advocating for the use of solar eclipse glasses or pinhole projection methods to safely witness the celestial phenomenon.
[Image via Shutterstock]