What is a partial solar eclipse and how to watch it safely
A partial solar eclipse is expected to be visible across the UK's South West and Channel Islands on Wednesday evening. Experts explain the phenomenon and advise on how to observe the event safely as the moon covers over 90% of the sun.
Why it matters
Provides public safety information and scientific context for a rare astronomical event.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Archie Farmer South West Josh Dury A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the earth and the sun A partial solar eclipse is set to be visible across the South West and Channel Islands on Wednesday evening.
The entire event is set to last about one hour and 50 minutes, starting at about 18:20 BST and finishing by 20:10.
But what is a solar eclipse and just what is expected to happen?
The cosmic event requires the sun, the moon and the earth to be in a perfect alignment.
When this happens, the moon casts two types of shadows.
The team at the National Space Centre said the main event of this year's total solar eclipse will be visible in a giant arc moving across from northern Russia to Greenland, Iceland, Spain and northern Portugal.
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