On a remarkable Saturday morning, enthusiasts across the northern hemisphere came together to experience the breathtaking partial solar eclipse. This celestial event peaked in London around 11 AM, with visibility extending across various parts of the UK from approximately 10 AM to noon. The awe-inspiring phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, creating a magical spectacle. However, due to the imperfect alignment of the three celestial bodies, only 30-40% of the sun was obscured as observed from the UK.
Robert Massey, the deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, shared his excitement from Lewes, Sussex, saying, “There’s a really nice crowd of people, everybody’s really excited. There are people wearing eclipse glasses, looking through the telescopes we’ve got set up. We’re loving it, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great public atmosphere, it’s a really nice event. There’s a huge amount of enthusiasm about it.”
Massey noted that the moon began to move in front of the sun about an hour prior to his comments, indicating that the event was progressing smoothly. “It’s got a bit under an hour to go, and it’s blocking out some of the sun,” he added, reflecting the thrill that surrounded the gathering.
Skygazers throughout a vast area of the northern hemisphere had the opportunity to observe the moon seemingly take a bite out of the sun as the eclipse traversed from eastern Canada to Siberia. Imo Bell, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, commented at 11:15 AM, “There’s been nothing unexpected, but that’s the cool thing; we’ve known this has been coming for a very long time. We have the technology and the understanding of space now to predict these things almost to the second.”
Bell also mentioned that some areas in the UK, particularly those experiencing higher obscurity, faced challenges due to cloudy skies. “If you’ve got good weather, you’re pretty lucky,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of weather conditions for eclipse viewing.
Jake Foster, another astronomer at the Royal Observatory, reflected on the significance of such celestial events, stating, “These eclipses, whether they be partial or total, are effectively watching the clockwork of the solar system in action.” His words resonated with the audience, emphasizing the intricate dance of celestial bodies that captivates observers.
The Met Office had previously indicated that southern and eastern areas of the UK would experience the best viewing conditions, while cloudier skies were expected in the north and west. The partial solar eclipse, marking the first of the year and the 17th of this century, lasted for approximately four hours, from 8:50 AM GMT to 12:43 PM GMT.
For those eager to catch another glimpse of this astronomical marvel, the next partial solar eclipse visible in the UK is scheduled for August 2026, with expectations of reaching up to 90% obscurity. Mark your calendars and prepare your eclipse glasses for another spectacular show!
