Rare chance to see a solar eclipse in Scarborough
Phenomenon will take place tomorrow – next one will not happen for 11 years
A solar eclipse will be visible in Scarborough tomorrow – and there will not be another for the next 11 years.
The skies will begin to darken across at 8. 24am, before the eclipse reaches its peak at 9.30am.
People are being invited to view the spectacle at Scarborough’s Spa Complex on the Suncourt Terrace from 8am.
Astronomers from Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society will be using specialist solar telescopes to allow safe observation of the eclipse.
Members of the public are welcome to join the society for this rare event. However people are advised that space on the terrace will be limited and organisers cannot guarantee you will be able to view through specialist telescopes on the day.
Andy Exton, secretary of Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society, said: “The next eclipse of this magnitude is in 2026, so it’s not something that comes along every year.
“You will see a significant dimming of the light, people also say about solar eclipses that nature senses it and goes quiet so it will be interesting to see what the birds do.
“And , eventhough it is March and still quite cold, there could be a significant cooling around the time.”
However, there is a word of warning to anyone who wants to experience one of nature’s most magnificent spectacles.
Andy is urging the public to buy solar eclipse glasses which reject about 99 per cent of the energy coming from the sun.
He said: “It has been known i n the past that people have tried staring at the sun with the naked eye, but it would cause irreversible damage to your eyesight.”
The society is expecting a lot of interest to be generated, thanks to the BBC running its Stargazing LIVE series during the week. Go to www.scarborough-ryedale-as.org.uk to find out more.