Everything to know about watching this week's solar eclipse in Portsmouth
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The partial eclipse will take place on the evening of Wednesday August 12
A partial solar eclipse will take place on Wednesday August 12, and the south east will be one of the best places to see the cosmic wonder take place.
At 6.18pm, the moon will start to pass in between the sun and the earth, causing the sun to appear like a crescent in the sky. The peak of the partial eclipse, where the moon covers the majority of the sun and casts its shadow onto earth, will be at 7.14pm in Portsmouth.
The Royal Museums Greenwich has said that this event will be “as close to a total eclipse as we’ve seen in almost 27 years from the British Isles”.
Wednesday is predicted to be a clear day in the city, with temperatures of up to 27 degrees and very little chance of rain - perfect conditions to view this solar spectacle.
The best places to see the eclipse will have a good view to the West, so high points like Portsdown Hill and The Round Tower will be the best places in the city to get a full view of this once-in-a-decade event. For a more atmospheric view, Spice Island will also be a good westerly facing place to sit with a drink and watch the marvel.
It is important to remember that you do not look directly into the sun without eye protection, such as eclipse glasses. Normal sunglasses won't be sufficient to keep your eyes protected. Solar glasses can be bought online and are fairly inexpensive.
Amazon has several brands including VOLTNGO Solar Eclipse Glasses 2-Pack Eclipse Shades for £6.99, and these for £7.99.