A Guernsey astronomer has urged residents of the Channel Islands to make the most of an upcoming partial solar eclipse, describing it as a "once or twice in a lifetime" event for any single location, since the next total eclipse visible from Guernsey will not occur until 2081. Dr Jean Dean, of La Société Guernesiaise's astronomy section, said the eclipse would be the closest the islands have come to total sun coverage since 1999, and stressed the importance of viewing it safely with proper solar glasses rather than sunglasses.

The partial eclipse will take place on Wednesday 12 August, with around 90% of the sun covered by the moon at its peak. It is expected to begin at about 18:15 BST, with maximum coverage roughly an hour later, and will be visible from anywhere the setting sun can be seen. Dean noted that even under cloudy skies the event should cause noticeable darkening, a drop in temperature and birds falling silent, and advised that a limited number of solar eclipse glasses are being distributed by Les Bourgs Hospice charity shops.