Solar Eclipse: How And Where To See It

Solar eclipse enthusiasts are being warned not to look directly at the sun during the event because of the risk of retinal burns.

Much of northern Europe, including the UK, will be plunged into darkness this morning for several minutes as the moon moves between the Sun and the Earth.

The UK will experience a "partial eclipse", with the darkest conditions expected in Scotland and the north of England.

The College of Optometrists has warned people about the potential damage to their eyes if they are not properly protected.

Dr Susan Blakeney, clinical adviser at the college, said: "Witnessing a solar eclipse is a rare and amazing event which we're sure many people will want to make the most of.

"We just want to make sure people do so safely, without putting their sight, many people's most precious sense, at risk.

"You should never look directly at the sun and that applies when there's a total or partial eclipse as well.

"This is because the radiation emitted by the sun is so powerful it may cause a solar burn of the retina."

Retinal burns can cause significant and sometimes permanent loss of sight.

The college offers the following advice:

:: Don't look directly at the sun, even wearing sunglasses. Don't watch directly through a telescope, binoculars, camera or camera-phone.

:: Do use the pinhole projection method. This involves putting a hole in a piece of cardboard and holding it up - with your back to the sun - so that an image of the sun is projected on to another piece of paper or card. Do use glasses with CE marked solar filters.

Detailed advice is also available from the Royal Astronomical Society .

Cloud cover is likely to obscure the eclipse for many people.

However its effects will still be felt, such as darker skies and a drop in temperature.

South Wales and the north coasts of Devon and Wales are likely to have the clearest skies. Parts of the Midlands up towards the Wash may also see some decent breaks in the cloud.

The UK last experienced a total eclipse of the sun in August 1999.

The following year, the Royal College of Opthalmologists published a study which detailed the effects on those viewing the eclipse. Some 70 people reported a loss of vision.