ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JUNE’S SOLAR ECLIPSE

WHEN: 10 JUNE

On 10 June, people around the world will be treated to the biggest partial solar eclipse since 2015. Such an annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon’s shadow covers most of the Sun, leaving only a red ring or ‘annulus’ (Latin for ‘ring’) visible. This happens when the Moon moves between Earth and the Sun, blocking most (but not all) of the star’s light from reaching our planet.

The Moon doesn’t orbit Earth in the same plane as Earth orbits the Sun.

If it did, we’d have a solar eclipse every lunar cycle. Instead, the Moon’s orbit is tilted, its path only coming between Earth and the Sun during a period called eclipse season, which happens usually twice a year and lasts about 34.5 days.

The type of solar eclipse that happens during this time depends on where the Moon is in its elliptical orbit. If it’s at its closest point to Earth (called perigee) it can block out all the Sun’s rays, creating a total eclipse. But if it’s at or near its furthest point (called apogee) it leaves a red ring, creating an annular eclipse.

The eclipse will look different around the world. Only viewers in Greenland, northern Canada and northeastern Russia will see this red ring. In the UK, viewers will see part of the Sun eclipsed. The further north you are, the more you’ll see, with the north of Scotland witnessing over 30 per cent of the Sun eclipsed, compared to only 20 per cent in London.

To watch the eclipse, make sure to use solar safety glasses or an eclipse viewer, and never look directly at the Sun without protection. In the UK, the eclipse will begin at 10.07am and reach its maximum at 11.14am.