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 | North East Post A Voice of the Free Press |
Jan Harris
Deputy Group Editor
1:00 AM 8th April 2024
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Will You Be Lucky Enough To See It
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and the moon fully or partially obscures the sun.
Solar eclipses happen about every 18 months but these are not visible everywhere. Lunar eclipses can be seen anywhere in the world but solar eclipses are limited to small areas of the world.
The best place in America to see this eclipse will be in the Niagara Falls State Park which should offer an unobstructed view of this amazing natural phenomenon.
Image by Randy McGuire from Pixabay
If you are in the North West of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland you might be able to witness a partial solar eclipse.
In the UK this will begin just before sunset at about 7.52pm on Monday 8 April.
You mustn't look direct at the sun as the ultraviolet light will flood your retinas and permanently damage your vision. Indirect viewing is the only safe way to view a solar eclipse.
Here are some tips to help you get the best view:
Sight lines in towns and cities are often blocked by tall buildings. Find an open area where you can get a clear view of the Sun.
To view the event safely, you'll need eclipse glasses. You can buy them online, or dig out your old pair you kept in a drawer from the 1999 total solar eclipse.
A great way to view the eclipse is with a pinhole camera. Cut a 1-2mm circular hole in a piece of card. Standing with your back to the Sun, hold the card up so Sunlight passes through the hole and falls onto a piece of white paper. Move the card back and forth until you get a sharp image. The bright dot on your piece of paper will clearly display the partially eclipsed Sun. (You can also get the same effect using a colander.)
11 August 1999 - total solar eclipse over Cornwall and part of Devon, partial eclipse in some parts of UK
29 March 2025 - partial solar eclipse in the UK
23 September 2090 - next total solar eclipse in UK
For more information click here