Warwickshire stargazer's top tips for those wanting to watch the solar eclipse tomorrow
A Warwickshire stargazer has given some top tips to those wanting to watch the rare partial solar eclipse in the sky above the county tomorrow (Wednesday August 12).
The highly-anticipated solar eclipse will cross the Northern Hemisphere.
A total solar eclipse will sweep through parts of Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, while a major partial eclipse will darken skies across the UK and western Europe.
Sarah Adams-Lipa, of NOVA Stargazing UK, said: “The best viewing locations are elevated hilltops, open fields, with completely unobstructed horizon views as the sun will be relatively low in the sky.
"You should be looking towards the West-North-West horizon - most smart phones have a handy compass app for this.
"If you’re in Leamington like me, I’d say Newbold Comyn – heading up towards the higher ground - or from the middle of the sports fields in Victoria Park.
"If you fancy a drive out, then Burton Dassett Hills or the Welcombe Hills are ideal.
"But you’ll find me on the public right of way behind Milverton Church.”
The eclipse will get underway at about 6.15pm "when the moon starts to take a bite out of the sun”, with the maximum at 7.11pm.
It will be over by 8.05pm.
Sarah said: “The weather looks as if it’s going to play ball, so grab a chair and get out there.
"Just be sure to have solar eclipse glasses to hand – certified ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses are a must to prevent eye damage.
"Telescopes , binoculars and cameras all require specialised front-mounted solar filters.
"And to get that photo, tape a spare lens from your glasses directly over the camera lens.
"A tripod or simply balancing your phone on something stable will help with the shot as the light decreases.”
Sarah, who can be followed on Instagram at sarah_does_the_stars, added: “I really hope people take the chance to see the eclipse on Wednesday.
"We’re all so busy that we simply don’t take the time to stop and look up enough.
“Spending an evening beneath the stars, gazing at the wonders of the night sky really does give you a bit of a reset.
"Our stargazing experiences and events give people the opportunity to see things they have never seen before and maybe learn a little something along the way.”