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Towns and cities that will see percentage of solar eclipse in UK and Ireland next week

Towns and cities that will see percentage of solar eclipse in UK and Ireland next week

A total solar eclipse will take over massive swathes of North America

A massive total solar eclipse is set to plunge millions in to total darkness in what will be a once in 375 year event.

And while it's set to take over North America, passing through Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the very edges of the natural phenomenon could well be visible across the Atlantic Ocean in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

It takes nearly 400 years for a total solar eclipse to happen in the same place on Earth. This is where the Moon and the Sun line up perfectly, with the Moon blocking any light from the Sun from reaching Earth.

It'll send millions from daylight into the darkness for a few minutes - but it also comes with a 'very serious' warning for those looking up.

For those in the US, Mexico, and Canada, NASA has put together a guide on the exact times and locations you can watch the eclipse from as it happens on Monday, 8 April.

A man safely watching an eclipse as it happens.
George Frey/Getty Images

When will the 8 April solar eclipse hit the UK and Ireland?

The partial eclipse will hit UK and Irish shores at 7.52pm before ending almost an hour later at 8.51pm.

One amateur weather enthusiast, who operates the UK Weather Updates X account, said the opportunity to view the eclipse on British and Irish shores will exist but it'll be very brief.

They posted: "Lots of talk within the US community about the solar eclipse on the 8th of April.

"While parts of the UK and Ireland will be able to see it too, there will be a very short opportunity for it, as the eclipse will take place at sunset shortly before the sun goes below the horizon.

"Western parts of Ireland are at the greatest chance due to a later sunset time."

Which UK and Irish towns and cities will see partial solar eclipses on 8 April?

The following Irish towns and cities have the best chance of seeing the partial eclipse, with the following obscuration of the Sun expected:

  • Dublin - 15.46%
  • Belfast - 17.26%
  • Waterford - 17.44%
  • Dundalk - 18.39%
  • Cork - 19.55%
  • Londonderry - 21.48%
  • Galway - 34.55%
  • Belmullet - 44.02%
Total solar eclipse.
Getty Stock Image

In the UK, the chances are much less.

The best place to view the partial solar eclipse will be in Glasgow, where there will be a 11.24% obscuration.

This is followed by Edinburgh at 6.12% and Aberdeen at 4.32%.

There's virtually no chance of seeing the eclipse in England, which is probably not the news you were hoping for.

But fear not, as two solar eclipses are coming to the UK in the next few years according to experts.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image/George Frey/Getty Images

Topics: News, Science, Space, UK News, US News