This week, we might be able to feast our eyes on the first partial solar eclipse visible to Irish eyes since 2017.
It is predicted that up to 33% of the visible solar disc will be covered by the moon’s silhouette on Thursday starting at 10am and ending at 12.21pm.
What can you expect to see? It is expected to appear as a dark circle inside a bright disc. As you may already know, it is important to not look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse or at any time as it can cause eye damage.
Chairman and Editor of Astronomy Ireland David Moore said, “Given this is the best Eclipse in a decade, everyone in Ireland should make sure they witness it over the two and a half hours that it will take place so I strongly recommend people book the day off work to see this extremely rare natural spectacle!”
“While Ireland is a long way from the centreline of this Annular Eclipse, if it’s clear we will see a spectacular Partial Eclipse!
“The good news for Ireland is that the Eclipse will be high in the sky, about 50 degrees up in the southeast.”
But of course, it all depends on the weather. Here is what Met Éireann is predicting for Thursday:
“Thursday will be warm, humid and breezy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. There will be drier weather across the eastern half of the country with the sun breaking through at times.”
So, we are remaining hopeful that we will get to see this rare solar eclipse.
The eclipse will only be partial, so don’t worry, the whole sun won’t be blocked out!
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