The UK is set to experience its most substantial solar eclipse since 1999 this evening, with the Moon obscuring up to 96% of the Sun's disc. The event will be visible across the entire country, peaking between 18:58 and 19:15 BST, depending on the specific location.
Devon, Cornwall, and western Pembrokeshire are expected to see the fullest extent of the eclipse, with 94% to 96% solar coverage. Other areas, including the rest of Wales, Northern Ireland, parts of the West Midlands, the South West, and western Scotland, could see 92% to 94% coverage.
While many parts of the UK anticipate clear skies, some areas in north Wales, northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland may experience cloud cover or even rain between 18:00 and 19:00. People across the UK have been purchasing specialist eclipse glasses to view the phenomenon safely.
Elsewhere in the world, a total solar eclipse will be visible. Northern Spain, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Portugal are on the path of totality. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have travelled to northern Spain, where the total eclipse will peak between 20:26 and 20:33 local time (19:26 to 19:33 BST).
Martin Griffith, director of Brecon Beacons Observatory, described the eclipse as "one of the great phenomena of nature." The next time the Moon will obscure as much of the Sun over the British Isles will be in 2081, with the next total solar eclipse in the UK projected for 2090.