Solar Eclipse Wows UK and Europe
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- UK witnessed its most dramatic partial solar eclipse since 1999, with over 90% of the Sun obscured and up to 95% coverage in Cornwall during the event peaking shortly after 19:00 BST.
- Spain experienced a total solar eclipse around 19:30 BST, with observers in A Coruña seeing the Sun, Moon, and Earth perfectly aligned for less than two minutes.
- Moon passed between the Sun and Earth, creating a shadow on Earth and allowing viewers to see the Sun's corona and pink gas loops called prominences during totality.
- Eclipse chasers including Chilean scientist Yasmin Catricheo traveled to north-west Spain to witness the total eclipse, describing the experience as awe-inspiring and indescribable.
- Solar eclipse glasses were in high demand and short supply ahead of the event, prompting creative alternatives like colanders, cereal boxes, and paper for safe viewing.
- Total solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months globally but are rare for any single location, with the UK not seeing another total eclipse until 2090.
Why it matters: The eclipse offered a rare celestial spectacle across Europe, with Spain gaining a fleeting but full view while the UK experienced its most significant partial eclipse in decades—highlighting the region’s limited access to total eclipses, with the next not due until 2090. The high public turnout and improvised viewing methods underscore widespread engagement despite limited official resources.
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