UK and Ireland towns and cities where you have a chance of seeing the solar eclipse today

Eyes will be firmly fixed on the skies as a total solar eclipse turns daylight into darkness for millions across the world.

The rare natural phenomenon, which only happens in the same location once every 375 years or so, is set to engulf North America.

It is where the Moon and Sun line up in perfectly symmetry, with the Moon blocking all light from the star from reaching specific parts of Earth.

Passing through Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico, there will be total darkness for those on the so-called 'path of totality'.

And while it's something that is exclusive for a North American audience, there are a whole load of countries that will experience partial solar eclipses later today (8 April).

That includes our very own United Kingdom and Ireland as well as the likes of Jamaica, Portugal, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Cuba.

A health warning has been issued for the 8 April solar eclipse, with it essential for you to follow expert rules on how to view the event without hurting yourself.

An eclipse as it happens. Getty Stock Image

If you own a cat or a dog you should also pay attention.

Where can you see the partial solar eclipse in the UK?

As for the event itself, it'll arrive in the UK at 7.52pm before ending at 8.51pm. However, we'll be experiencing a partial eclipse instead - when the Moon only partially covers the Sun.

According to experts at timeanddate.com, Glasgow will have the best chance of seeing the Moon obscure the Sun.

There, 11.24 percent of the Sun will be taken over by the Moon from 7.54pm to 8.06pm.

In Edinburgh, it'll be a 6.12 percent obscuration from 7.54pm to 8.02pm. And Aberdeen has a smaller obscuration of 4.32 percent from 7.53pm to 8pm.

Solar eclipse glasses are essential to view the event. Getty Stock Image

There is the tiny of chances those in Liverpool experience a fraction of the cosmic event, but the obscuration of the Sun is just 0.64 percent from 7.55pm until 7.57pm.

Where can you see the partial solar eclipse in Ireland?

The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, has a much better chance of seeing the event. It'll arrive in the country at 7.54pm before ending at 8.29pm.

Galway boasts the best spot, with more than one third (34.55 percent) of the Sun obscured by the Moon. This will be from 7.55pm until 8.21pm.

Letterkenny will experience a 21.45 percent obscuration from 7.54pm until 8.13pm.

A partial solar eclipse in Hede-Bazouges, western France on 25 October, 2022. DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images

These other Irish towns and cities are have a really good chance of seeing a partial social eclipse:

• Cork - 19.55 percent from 7.56pm until 8.13pm
• Dublin - 15.46 percent from 7.55pm until 8.10pm
• Dundalk - 18.39 percent from 7.55pm until 8.11pm
• Limerick - 20.07 percent from 7.56pm until 8.13pm
• Waterford - 17.44 percent from 7.56pm until 8.11pm

But as always with the UK and Ireland, the weather plays a big part in this. It's going to be quite cloudy and rainy across both countries which could put a literal dampener on things for even the best placed individuals in Galway.

Don't worry too much though as two solar eclipses are coming to the UK in the next few years.

Topics: Space, UK News, Ireland, World News, Weather, Science

Tom Earnshaw

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@TREarnshaw