THE UK is set to be graced with a partial solar eclipse next week, where nearly half the Sun will turn black.
This kind of solar display only happens once every 18 months or so - with the next partial eclipse visible from the UK on 12 August 2026.
2
Only 11 partial, annular, or total eclipses have been visible from the British Isles since 2003.
But those wanting to catch a glimpse of the rare sight must exercise caution.
Looking at the Sun directly, even during a partial solar eclipse, can cause temporary and permanent eye damage in less than a minute.
You may not even realise the damage that has been done at first.
READ MORE ON SPACE
It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse for symptoms of eye damage to occur.
People who look at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can experience loss of vision, distorted vision and altered colour vision.
The only time you can safely view a solar eclipse without special equipment is during totality - the brief moment the solar disk turns completely black.
However, this only occurs during a total solar eclipse - and the event on 29 March will only be a partial eclipse.
Most read in Science
RED PLANETFirst-of-its-kind Nasa image shows mystery object CRAWLING 1,000ft across Mars
OUT OF THIS WORLDVolcanic eruption that blew island to shreds 'sent shockwaves into SPACE'
BRIGHT SPARKJapan summons LIGHTNING from skies with adrone in bid to generate FREE power
SPECTACLE'Impossible colours' you CAN'T see as scientists discover mystery new hue 'Olo'
Solar eclipse glasses and handheld viewers with the ISO 12312-2 standard must be used to watch the eclipse at all times.
You should seek treatment from an eyecare professional if you notice symptoms after viewing a solar eclipse.
First mission to ‘create artificial solar eclipse’ using satellites will solve Sun mystery
A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth - but the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned.
This means that only part of the Sun is hidden by the Moon.
As much as 40% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon's shadow in northern Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In London and the southeast of the UK, the Sun will be around 30% covered.
But the UK will have one of the best views in the continent, Dr Greg Brown, Senior Public Astronomy Officer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told The Sun.
"The only country inEurope with a better view [than the UK] will be Iceland with a magnitude of 0.74 which is about 68% coverage of the Sun," he said.
The event will last about two hours, beginning at 10am and ending at 12pm.
The maximum - when the Sun is at its most hidden - will fall in between.
Read More on The Sun
"While the timings vary slightly across the UK, the eclipse will be at its fullest at 11am," explained Dr Brown.
"Though it is worth looking out for first and last contact, the point at which the Moon starts and ends its coverage of the Sun."
2
How to watch a solar eclipse safely
Here's the official advice from the American Astronomical Society...
Looking directly at the Sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”), when the Moon entirely blocks the Sun’s bright face, which will happenonlywithin the narrow path of totality.
Theonlysafe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers.
Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the Sun; they transmitthousandsof times too much sunlight.
Alwaysinspect your solar filter before use; if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
Alwayssupervise children using solar filters.
If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter — donotremove it while looking at the Sun.
Donotlook at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
Similarly, donotlook at the Sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
