A week on Friday, March 20, 2015, there will the rare chance to see a solar eclipse in Britain – and northern Scotland will be the best place to view this astronomical spectacle.
In my lifetime there have been a few UK eclipses, with the he last major solar eclipse in August 1999 and the one before that in 1990.
(Another is not expected until 2090 so there is very little chance of me seeing that.)
Where will you be and what will you be doing when the solar eclipse takes place? I would really like to see photos of the eclipse on your area. Please do send them in and note the location and time. I’ll publish some of the best.
What is a solar eclipse?
An eclipse is when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth and blocks out most of the sun’s light. Apparently the Moon is very close to the Sun just now, and the closest it has been for 18 and a half years, which means the eclipse will be al the more impressive.
Where to see the best solar eclipse
For a total eclipse, you’ll need to be in the Faroes or northern Scandinavia, where the Sun will be totally covered for around two minutes.
In Scotland, the best viewing positions will be the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, close to Aird Uig. The solar eclipse will occur at 9.36am when 98 per cent of the sun will obscured.
On the islands of Skye and Orkney, viewers will see 97 per cent of the Sun covered.
Shetland and Aberdeen will also be top spots to see the eclipse.
In comparison, in London the maximum eclipse, when the moon is nearest the middle of the sun, will be at 9.31am and have only 85 per cent coverage.
Send me eclipse photos
I would really like to see photos of the eclipse on your area. Please do send them in and note the location and time. I’ll publish some of the best.