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Where to see the biggest solar eclipse since 1999 in the West Country
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- On 12 August, the West Country will witness the most significant solar eclipse visible in the UK since 1999, with up to 95% of the sun obscured, particularly in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
- Key viewing locations include elevated, west-facing spots across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, with the eclipse starting at 18:17 BST and peaking at 19:12 BST.
- Free public viewing events with safety-certified eclipse glasses and solar telescopes will be held, notably by the Bristol Astronomical Society and Bath Astronomers, emphasizing the importance of eye safety during the eclipse.
- The eclipse is a partial event as the UK misses the path of totality, with the next total solar eclipse visible in the UK not expected until 2090, making this a rare astronomical spectacle.
- Observers are advised to use certified eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods, never look directly at the sun, and consider using solar filters on cameras or telescopes for safe photography.
