Tonight, most of Europe will witness an extraordinary event: a breathtaking solar eclipse.
Some places in Europe will witness a total solar eclipse, with it starting in Siberia and moving across to Iceland, Greenland, and even parts of Spain, where totality will be visible.
The UK and Ireland will enjoy a partial eclipse, with around 90% of the sun being hidden in London and up to 98% in the west of Ireland, making it a spectacular event you won't want to miss.
Occurring between 7:05 PM and 7:16 PM BST in the UK, you'll experience daylight dim and a somewhat eerie, surreal atmosphere, with this affecting everything from the wind to wildlife.
But it’s important you know a few key things first! Read on to learn five things to bear in mind for tonight’s eclipse, plus some very surprising things you might not expect…
1. You need to protect your eyes
The moon will be covering the sun, so it's okay to look at it, right? Wrong! Although it's extremely tempting to risk watching this solar event without eye protection, it can be extremely dangerous and cause permanent damage.
Being a partial solar eclipse in the UK, some of the sun will still be visible, which can damage your retinas and even lead to blindness.
Your best bet is opting for a pair of solar eclipse glasses, but if you can't get your hands on a pair in time, you can fashion a pinhole projector.
All you need is a cardboard box, some aluminium foil, and some tape – there are plenty of step-by-step tutorials online showing you how to whip one up in no time.
2. It might affect your dog's behaviour
A solar eclipse can be extremely confusing for our four-legged friends.
According to Dr. Linda Simon, Pooch & Mutt's resident vet, it can have several strange effects on dogs, such as...
- Freezing and staring: Dogs are likely to be confused by the sudden dimming of daylight, causing them to stop still and examine their environment.
- Sniffing and pacing: They may engage in these behaviours to try to work out what has happened.
- Whining: They may do this to seek reassurance from you.
- Zoomies: The change in light can affect their internal clock, causing them to think it's bedtime – when many dogs get the 'zoomies'.
- Chasing their shadow: The change in shadow from the eclipse can make them fixate on their own shadow.
However, Dr Linda Simon assures that this is normal and changes in your dog's behaviour will be temporary: "The light will return quickly, and your dog will settle straight back into their usual happy rhythm. There’s nothing for owners to worry about – your dog is safe, supported, and simply being their wonderfully quirky self,” she says.
3. Birds might will go quiet
And it's not just dogs that can be confused by this event and exhibit a change in behaviour. The solar eclipse might also make birds stop chirping.
This is because the sudden dimming can trigger their internal clock, making them think it's time to roost.
So if you notice that it suddenly goes quiet tonight during the eclipse, it might be because our feathered friends think it's nighttime.
4. It's rare!
There’s been lots of buzz surrounding tonight's solar eclipse, and for good reason: it's extremely rare!
The last solar eclipse in which the sun was covered to this degree occurred back in 1999 – 27 years ago! So most people will only witness two or three in their whole lives.
The best places in the country to witness the eclipse are in the west, with 95% of the sun being covered in Cornwall, but London will still see up to 90% covered.
5. Get there early and look to the western horizon
Finally, you'll want to be in prime position! To make the most of the eclipse, head outside at least 30 minutes early so you can find a spot with an unobstructed view.
Plus, being outside and ready early will ensure you enjoy the event from start to finish, including the moment the moon first starts to cover the sun.
Be sure to choose a viewing spot where you can clearly see the western horizon, as the sun will be low in the sky during the eclipse
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