Eclipse a 'once or twice in a lifetime' event

A Guernsey astronomer has urged people to make the most of a "once or twice in a lifetime" partial solar eclipse as the next total eclipse visible from the island is not due until 2081.

On Wednesday 12 August, people in the Channel Islands, UK and Ireland will experience a partial solar eclipse when about 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon.

Dr Jean Dean, secretary of the astronomy section of La Société Guernesiaise, urged people to safely enjoy the "significant" solar event.

"For many of us who saw the 1999 total eclipse, this is probably the last really big eclipse we'll see," she said.

August's eclipse will be the closest the islands have been to total coverage of the sun since the total eclipse in 1999.

Dean said: "Solar eclipses aren't rare on the earth as a whole. They happen about every 18 months.

"[But] From any one particular location, its probably a once or twice in a lifetime event.

"For many of us who saw the 1999 total eclipse, this is probably the last really big eclipse we'll see.

"The next total eclipse from Guernsey will be in 2081, so that's quite a long way away."

Dean said clear skies would give the best view of the event but, if the weather was overcast, it would still "go dark, a little bit cold and the birds will go silent".

"That's because it's such a large eclipse - nature will start to respond, so it will be a little bit eerie if that does happen," she said.

According to Royal Museums Greenwich, viewers will see the eclipse begin at about 18:15 BST, with maximum coverage about an hour later.

Dean said people would be able to see the eclipse from any point on the island where the setting sun was visible.

She said: "I need to stress that it's very dangerous - even at that amount of coverage - to stare at the sun.

"You really do need solar eclipse glasses Don't look directly at the sun. Sunglasses will not be adequate."

Dean said solar eclipse glasses were available in limited numbers at Les Bourg Hospice shops and they were the best way to view the event safely.

"You will see the sun and you will see a few little sun spots, and you will slowly star to see the moon start taking little bites out of the sun as it progresses," she said.

"Find somewhere to sit, put them on and just enjoy the event."

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