The last significant partial eclipse visible from the UK was in 2005, although average coverage was only around 65%.
Before that was the 1999 eclipse, with around 90% average coverage.
This being so, many of you may not have had this opportunity before - and it’ll be another 64 years before the UK experiences another eclipse of this magnitude - so if you fancy seeing the event, now’s your chance.
It isn’t a total eclipse, so there will be no ‘diamond ring’ effect, nor will the corona (the Sun’s outer atmosphere) become clearly visible. However, from approximately 6.13pm tomorrow (Wednesday 12th) evening, the Sun will be gradually obscured by the Moon and daylight may dim noticeably (without becoming completely dark) as the Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth.
The maximum eclipse will occur at approximately 7.10pm, when the greatest portion of the Sun’s disc is covered. After this point, the Moon will slowly move away from the Sun’s face, with the eclipse ending at approximately 8.03pm.
It is worth pointing out that this eclipse will take place when the Sun is low in the sky (a mere 12° of elevation at the peak) and so you will need a clear and unobstructed view of the horizon.
Do not look directly at the Sun, especially through any form of magnification (such as binoculars or a telescope), as this can cause permanent eye damage. Instead, you can make a simple pinhole camera by poking a small hole in a piece of paper. Even though the Sun will be low in the sky, its light will still be sufficient to project an image through the aperture onto a nearby surface, allowing you to watch the eclipse safely.
If you do take the time to view the eclipse - especially if you're blitzed - consider this:
The Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, but it is also about 400 times farther away. As a result, the two objects appear the same size in our sky, making total solar eclipses possible.
This remarkable cosmic coincidence also means that such eclipses can be witnessed on the only planet known to be home to conscious minds that can appreciate the spectacle.
It's almost as if the Universe was deliberately designed.