The most striking solar eclipse of this century will be visible in Salford this evening – with a special viewing session being held at Barton Aerodrome.
Astronomers say between 90 per cent and 96 per cent of the sun will disappear behind the moon, starting at 6pm in parts of mainland Britain.
Here in Salford, the cosmic phenomenon is expected to begin at 6.13pm and end at 8.03pm, peaking at 7.10 pm.
The eclipse will be the fullest since the total eclipse in 1999 and will make the sky noticeably darker.
The best places to view the spectacle are higher ground or areas with a clear view of the western horizon.
People in search of the perfect spot to watch the historic event can look no further than Barton Aerodrome, where Salford Astronomical Society are welcoming people to take in the eclipse together.
The eclipse viewing session begins at 5pm and visitors are asked to make a £2 donation to support the society’s work.
Astronomical equipment will be available to use and eclipse glasses will be on sale for £1 a pair.
No booking is required and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors view the eclipse safely.
“The viewing conditions are looking very promising,” a spokesperson for the society said. “We’re hoping for excellent conditions, giving us a great opportunity to see the eclipse clearly and follow it throughout its duration.
“This is going to be a fantastic evening for all ages – whether you’re a lifelong astronomy fan or you’ve never looked through a telescope before.”
With excitement building about the historic event, here’s some advice about how to observe the eclipse safely because looking directly at it can pose severe health risks.
– Can I use sunglasses to watch the eclipse?
No, it is not safe to watch the eclipse using regular sunglasses. Only specialised eclipse glasses are safe to use.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), eclipse glasses are several thousand times darker than sunglasses, meaning they are safe for viewing the Sun.
If you have a pair of eclipse glasses, Nasa recommends inspecting them for damage before using them and discarding the goggles if torn or scratched.
The organisation also says you should not use eclipse glasses while looking through binoculars, camera lenses, or any other optical device, as the concentrated solar rays will burn through the glasses’ filter and could cause eye injuries.
– What do I do if I cannot find eclipse glasses?
With so many looking to view the eclipse, glasses are in short supply.
If eclipse glasses are not available, NASA suggests using indirect viewing methods. These do not involve looking directly at the Sun, but instead project the eclipse onto a nearby surface.
For example, a pinhole projector can be made using a box, aluminium foil and a white sheet of paper. By taping foil and paper to both ends of the box, then punching a hole in the foil, you can indirectly view the Sun shining through the hole onto the paper.
During the different phases of the eclipse, you will be able to see the shadow from the Moon block out the light projected onto the piece of paper.
If you do not have time to make a pinhole projector, NASA suggests a good alternative is using a colander. By watching the shadow that the colander projects onto the ground, you can safely view the phases of the eclipse.
– Can I use my phone’s camera to view the eclipse?
While using your phone’s front-facing camera to view the eclipse will not damage your eyes, it could destroy your device.
In a post on X, Nasa said that pointing your phone’s camera directly at the Sun could damage its image sensor.
The organisation added that using magnifying lenses attached to the phone camera would increase the risk of damage.
Nasa suggested using a solar filter or holding a pair of eclipse glasses in front of your phone’s lens to protect the sensor from damage.
– Why is it dangerous to look at the Sun during an eclipse?
Normally when we glance at the Sun, the brightness prevents us from looking too long and damaging our eyes with solar radiation.
However, while eclipses might appear less bright, the UK Health Security Agency explains that solar radiation is just as dangerous as on any other day.
This leads to people being mistaken that it is safe to look at the Sun during an eclipse.
Mohamed Elalfy, president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: “Looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision.
“Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens.”
The college says that during the 1999 total solar eclipse, around 70 people experienced vision problems, with 40% of cases looking at the Sun for less than a minute.
– How do I know if I have damaged my eyes, and what should I do?
Unsafely viewing the eclipse can lead to temporary or permanent visual impairment.
According to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, symptoms include:
– Blurred or distorted vision;
– A central blind or dark spot;
– Reduced colour perception;
– Increased sensitivity to light.
Symptoms can become apparent several hours after looking at the Sun, meaning people viewing the eclipse unsafely may not know immediately if they have injured themselves.
If you notice a change in your vision after watching the eclipse, you should promptly seek advice from an eyecare professional.
More information about the planned public viewing of the partial solar eclipse at Barton Aerodrome can be found here.
With reporting by Scott Thomson, Press Association.
