Best places in Yorkshire to watch biggest partial solar eclipse visible from the UK in decade
Yorkshire residents are preparing to look to the skies to witness the biggest partial solar eclipse visible from the UK in more than a decade.
This celestial event occurs when the New Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, astronomer John Mason told The Yorkshire Post.
However, from Yorkshire and the wider UK, the Sun will not disappear completely.
Yorkshire residents can witness the spectacle between 6pm and 8pm on August 12.
“At maximum eclipse, a stunning 92 percent of the Sun’s diameter will be obscured by the dark disk of the Moon,”, Mr Mason said.
“It will be a fascinating sight for skywatchers, with the eclipsed Sun looking a bit like an upside-down ‘smiley face’ emoji.”
Where to watch the solar eclipse
Finding the best viewing location will be key.
“Watching this event will be tricky because the Sun will be low in the west-north-western sky at the time of the eclipse and sinking lower as the eclipse progresses,”, Mr Mason explained.
“You need to find a site with a very clear, unobstructed western horizon.
“This might be difficult in larger towns and cities, so it is probably best to find a site up high, say at the top of a hill, and look west.”
Astronomer Dr Mark Gallaway specifically recommended finding a high vantage point, like Buckden Pike, Otley Chevin, or Rosedale Chimney Bank.
According to Dr Gallaway, August 12 will be “the best eclipse visible from Yorkshire until 2090.”
From August 7, viewers can check cloud coverage predictions on the Met Office website, guiding final decisions about where to go.
Other options include Almscliff Crag or Roseberry Topping.
For guided viewings of the eclipse, astronomy clubs such as the York Astronomical Society are hosting events.
How to safely watch the solar eclipse
Eye protection is essential for all viewers.
Staring directly at the Sun during a partial eclipse can cause solar retinopathy, carrying a risk of permanent damage.
“At no point during a partial eclipse is it safe to look directly at the Sun without specialist eye protection, such as eclipse glasses (available online for a small fee from suppliers like 365Astronomy and First Light Optics),” explained Dr Gallaway.
He adds that regular sunglasses are not safe, and that using telescopes or binoculars requires correctly fitted solar filters.
According to Mr Mason, special-purpose filters should conform to the ISO 12312-2 international standard, meaning “they block 99.999% of intense visible sunlight and 100% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation.”
Dr Gallaway warns that viewers should test filters against a bright indoor light beforehand.
“You should not be able to see any light through them,” he added, “If you can, they are not safe to use.”
“Eye damage during eclipses is unfortunately common - please do not take the risk.”