East of England prepares for partial solar eclipse with 90% Sun coverage
UKPulse Health Desk
The East of England is set to experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, with around 90% of the Sun expected to be covered. This will be the greatest solar coverage in the region since 1999.
- The East of England will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday evening.
- Around 90% of the Sun will be covered during the eclipse in the East of England.
- The eclipse is forecast to begin at 18:15 BST in Cambridge, peak at 19:12, and conclude around 20:00.
Astronomers and stargazers in the East of England are preparing for a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, which is expected to offer the greatest coverage of the Sun in the region since 1999.
Dr Matt Bothwell from Cambridge University's Institute of Astronomy noted an "astronomer exodus" as many have travelled abroad to locations like northern Spain for a total solar eclipse. However, watch parties are planned across the East of England for the partial event.
The eclipse is forecast to begin in Cambridge at 18:15 BST, reaching its peak at 19:12, and concluding around 20:00. Depending on location within the UK, the peak will occur between 19:02 and 19:16.
Around 90% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon for viewers in the East of England. Following the eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak, with 50 to 100 meteors visible every hour in the dark sky.
What this means for you: You must avoid looking directly at the Sun with the naked eye, even when it is mostly blocked, as this can cause permanent damage. Only look directly at the Sun if you are wearing eclipse glasses that meet international safety standards. Alternatively, you can experience the partial eclipse by observing crescent-shaped images on the ground through tree leaves, or by using a pinhole camera or kitchen colander to project the eclipse onto a surface.