Photo Credit: David Murr
This coming Friday we’ll be able to see a rare phenomenon, that people once thought signalled the end of the world (Friday 20 March 2015)
where can you see it in Southport? We’ve rounded up the best places to watch the solar eclipse – and you don’t want to miss it because the next one won’t happen until 2026.
What is an eclipse?
An eclipse is when the moon goes between the Sun and the Earth.
It is a rare occurance because for it to be visible the earth, the moon and the sun all have to be in allignment. Another reason for its rarity is that the moon moves on an oval shaped path around the earth.
When can I see the eclipse?
Southport last seen a full solar eclipse 1999. This friday we only see a partial eclipse, but it will still be 11 years before we see another. The next total eclipse is in 2090.
Fridays eclipse will start at 8:45 am – with the best part (known as a ‘maximum eclipse’) occuring at 9:15am and will last until 10:41am.
Where is the best place to see the eclipse?
Wide, open spaces are the best bet to get a good view of the horizon. Up north in Scotland nearly 100% of the sun’s light will be blocked by the moon. Further south, 85% of the sun will be blocked.
Some good open spaces in Southport:
Southport Pier
Town Lane Kew, Birkdale
The Round Hill, Waterloo Road
Can I look directly at the sun?
It’s not recommended to look directly at the sun – you can buy special eclipse glasses which filter out harmful rays. Alternatively – you can make your own ‘pinhole projector’ by cutting out a section of card, covering the hole with a piece of tinfoil, and then piercing a small hole in the tinfoil.
If you point it at the sun onto a piece of white cardboard or paper, you can view the sun’s projection there.
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