Crowds across southern England watch partial solar eclipse
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
The BBC has published photographs showing crowds across Kent, Surrey and Sussex watching the rare partial solar eclipse, adding visual detail to reports of the event. The images underline the scale of public interest, with people gathering at beaches, parks and high viewpoints to see the Moon obscure much of the Sun.
About 90% of the Sun was covered across southern England. Viewers attended organised parties, picnics, workshops and talks, while many used eclipse glasses or improvised colanders; the next UK-visible partial eclipse is expected in 2050 and the next total eclipse in 2090.
- New photographs show large eclipse-watching crowds across the South East.
- The Moon obscured about 90% of the Sun.
- Comparable UK eclipses will not return for decades.
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A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun’s light for people in particular parts of the world. In a partial eclipse, the Moon covers only part of the Sun’s disc, so daylight is reduced but does not disappear.
How much of the Sun is covered depends on where a viewer is standing. Southern England was among the UK areas with the clearest view, while a total eclipse requires being in the narrow path where the Moon completely covers the Sun.
Looking directly at the Sun can seriously damage eyesight, even during an eclipse, so viewers use specially made eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods. Eclipses attract large public gatherings because they are unusual, visible natural events whose timing and location can be predicted precisely.
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Originally published by BBC Science as “In pictures: Sky watchers gather for solar eclipse”.