A SOLAR eclipse will be visible in the skies across Britain later this month – and one visitor destination in Powys will be hosting special solar observing telescopes to watch the event.
On Tuesday, October 25 the Moon will appear to take a ‘bite’ out of the Sun as it passes between us and our nearest star, otherwise known as a partial solar eclipse.
The event will be unique because this eclipse will occur all over the world, with 35 per cent of the sun obscured when seen from the UK, compared with 82 per cent at the North Pole.
The Elan Valley Visitor Centre will be holding a special Solar Eclipse Day on October 25, from 10am to 4.30pm.
Led by the physics team at Aberystwyth University, solar observing telescopes will be available to watch the event.
What time is the solar eclipse?
The eclipse will begin at 10am, where a dark shadow will start to fall over the Sun.
Solar maximum will occur at 10.59am, where it will look like a huge bite has been taken out of the Sun.
The Moon leaves the Sun’s edge at around 11.50am.
What else is happening on the day?
Afterwards there will be a meteorite display and talks from 12.30pm onwards, where guest speaker Pete Williamson (FRAS) will talk about the Sun, in a talk that's suitable for beginners and young people.
Physicist Shaun Donnelly will talk about the history of observation and Professor Huw Morgan will provide a unique perspective of our middle-aged Sun, followed by talks from the Physics Society.
Aberystwyth University will install a Solar System Discovery geocache trail for two weeks over the school holidays.
Professor Huw Morgan from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Physics said: “While images of these eclipses are well-known, absolutely nothing matches the excitement and beauty of witnessing it in person - but it is important to do so safely, and use appropriate eye protection or filtered telescopes.
"That’s why we are delighted to be hosted by Elan Valley Trust for this partial solar eclipse. An event like this can amaze even the most seasoned sky watchers and catch the imagination of those who have never seen an eclipse before, sparking a hobby or even a career that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives”.
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