UK to get best eclipse since 1999 as Moon blocks out Sun across Europe
Up to 96% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon in the UK, while parts of Spain, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and Russia will see a total eclipse.
A solar eclipse is set to grace the skies over the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening, marking the country's best celestial event since 1999. Spanning across the entirety of the UK, the celestial phenomenon will see the Moon covering up to 96% of the Sun's disc, depending on the viewer's location. Other regions like northern Spain, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Portugal will also be treated to the sight, with some areas experiencing a total eclipse.
In the UK, the peak of the eclipse will occur between 18:58 and 19:15 BST, with the maximum coverage of the Sun by the Moon reaching 94% to 96%. The most profound viewing experience will be in Devon, Cornwall, and the western parts of Pembrokeshire in Wales, where 94% to 96% of the Sun will be obscured. Meanwhile, the rest of Wales, Northern Ireland, parts of the West Midlands, and the South West, along with western Scotland, will witness 92% to 94% solar coverage.
The anticipation for the eclipse has led to a rush for eclipse glasses, with many shops running low on stock. Despite mixed weather forecasts, clear skies are expected in most parts of the UK, providing excellent viewing conditions. However, some areas in north Wales, northern England, and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland may face cloud cover and potential rain.
Across the border in Spain, the total eclipse will be visible in Bilbao, Valencia, and Palma, Mallorca, with Barcelona and Madrid experiencing over 99% coverage. The total eclipse is expected to peak between 20:26 and 20:33 local time (19:26 to 19:33 BST) in these regions.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
