How to view today's solar eclipse from the UK
WARNING: NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN
Last updated 8th Apr 2024
Today, some of us in the UK will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, while those across the pond in the United States, will be able to enjoy a spectacular total solar eclipse.
While it might be quite confusing for some, both lunar (Moon) and solar (Sun) eclipses can be pretty amazing, however with a solar eclipse it is always very important to NEVER look directly at the sun, even if it is rising or setting.
When is the solar eclipse?
The next solar eclipse will take place today, Monday 8th April. The exact time will differ according to where you are in the world, here in the UK you can expect part of the Sun to be covered by the Moon between 7.52pm and 8.51pm.
What is a solar eclipse?
Broadly speaking, a solar eclipse is when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, however there are several different types of solar eclipses.
Total eclipse: This is when the Moon totally covers the Sun.
Partial eclipse: When the Moon only partially covers the Sun. This is because the Sun and Moon don't align exactly.
Annual eclipse: This occurs when the Moon is slightly further away from the Earth than normal, so it appears smaller in the sky. It doesn't fully cover the Sun as a ring appears around the 'smaller' Moon.
Hybrid eclipse: This is an incredibly rare type of eclipse where it appears annular in some places and total in others.
How much of the Sun will be covered in the UK?
Around 47% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon as visible from the UK.
Where can I view the solar eclipse in person?
The ideal place to watch the solar eclipse in person would be in the United States, however if you are in the UK, particularly in the West and North, you might be lucky enough to see a partial solar eclipse, just before sunset.
The eclipse will happen in the West just before sunset, with cities such as Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester potentially having a good view.
For the best chance of observing it go to high ground, however please follow the important safety instructions, and never look directly at the Sun.
Where can I view the solar eclipse online?
If you're not able to view the eclipse in person, or you want to see the total eclipse then NASA will be streaming the event on YouTube. The livestream will start at 6pm in the UK on 8th April.
Important safety instructions
When viewing a solar eclipse you should never look directly at the Sun as it could permanently damage your eyes, or blind you. NASA has produced a handy video covering different ways to view the eclipse, which you can watch below.
Now take a look through our tips on how to view shooting stars:
1. Dark sky
You might not realise how much light pollution there is in your neighbourhood, find out more about light pollution and where you can find a really dark sky here.
Allow your eyes 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Don't forget that the moon can also interfere so try to avoid times when it is visible.
2. Date and time
To increase your chances of seeing some meteors make sure you find out the best time to look for them. Often it is when the sky is at its darkest (in the middle of the night), or if there is a meteor shower, when the radiant (where the meteors come from - the constellation Leo) is high in the sky.
3. Look in the right area
It sounds obvious, but the sky is a very large area and meteors are very fast! Make sure you know which area of the sky you should be looking in. The Leonids come from Leo, the easiest way to find it would be to use a free sky map app on your phone. We've also included a video at the bottom of this page to help you find it.
4. Good weather
Again, it seems obvious, but there's no point in standing in the cold when it's cloudy. Check the weather forecast before going outside, and if it's going to be clear later on then wait until then if you can.
5. Don't use a telescope or binoculars
Using a telescope or binoculars will DECREASE your chances of seeing a meteor. Meteors are so quick that you are likely to miss them if you don't use the naked eye. Save your telescope or binoculars for the moon or planets.
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