Rare partial solar eclipse will be visible over Rochdale on Wednesday

People across Rochdale will have the chance to see one of the most striking astronomical events visible from the UK in years when a partial solar eclipse takes place on Wednesday 12 August.

The Met Office says the extent of the Sun's coverage and the precise timing of maximum obscuration will vary across the country, while local cloud and weather conditions will determine how much people are actually able to see.

Across the UK the eclipse will be substantial. Northeast Scotland is expected to see around 88 per cent of the Sun covered shortly before 7pm, while the far southwest of England will see around 96 per cent coverage shortly after 7.15pm.

For Greater Manchester and Rochdale, the eclipse is expected to begin at around 6.13pm, reach maximum obscuration at approximately 7.10pm and finish shortly after 8pm. Around 90 per cent of the Sun is expected to be covered at maximum, although the exact figure varies slightly by location.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich says the 12 August eclipse will be the largest partial solar eclipse visible from the UK and Ireland since 1999.

WEATHER COULD MAKE OR BREAK THE VIEW

Even a major eclipse can disappear behind typical British cloud, so anyone hoping to watch it should check the latest local forecast on the day. Thin or broken cloud may still allow glimpses, while thicker cloud could block the event completely.

HOW TO WATCH SAFELY

The Met Office stresses that people must never look directly at the Sun. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for viewing an eclipse.

Certified eclipse glasses designed specifically for direct solar viewing can be used if they are undamaged and meet the appropriate safety standard. Another safe option is a pinhole projector, which allows the Sun's image to be projected onto a surface without looking directly at it.

Cameras, binoculars and telescopes should never be pointed at the Sun unless they are fitted with specialist solar filters designed for the equipment. Looking through an optical device without suitable protection can cause severe and permanent eye injury.

For residents lucky enough to get clear skies, Wednesday evening should provide a rare opportunity to see daylight noticeably dim as the Moon passes across most of the Sun's disc.

Rochdale Daily will monitor the local forecast ahead of the eclipse and update readers if viewing conditions become clearer.