Manchester is getting ready for a rare astronomical event this Saturday, March 29, as a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the city. During this event, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, covering around 36% of the Sun’s surface in Manchester. The eclipse will begin at 10:07 AM, reach its peak at 11:04 AM, and wrap up by 12:03 PM, offering a unique opportunity to observe this celestial phenomenon.

Experts urge everyone to take precautions when viewing the eclipse, as staring directly at the Sun can result in permanent eye damage. To ensure a safe experience, the Heaton Park Astronomy Group is hosting a free viewing event, providing solar-filtered telescopes and special eclipse glasses. They will also project the Sun’s image onto a piece of card using binoculars, offering another safe way to experience the eclipse.

The event will take place at Heaton Park, near Stables Cafe, starting at 10 AM. Volunteers will be on hand to explain the science behind the eclipse and engage visitors with interesting facts. In the event of cloudy skies, the group will set up inside the cafe, hoping for a break in the clouds to still allow for some viewing.

Although the weather forecast remains uncertain, meteorologists suggest there could be some clearing as the event approaches, so skywatchers shouldn’t lose hope just yet.

Looking ahead, the next partial solar eclipse visible from Manchester will occur in August 2026, when nearly 89% of the Sun will be covered. Following that, more partial eclipses will be visible in August 2027, January 2028, and June 2030. However, the next total solar eclipse visible in the UK won’t occur until 2090.

While total solar eclipses are rare, as their path of totality is narrow, partial eclipses are much more common, offering skywatchers an opportunity to enjoy this remarkable event. This weekend’s eclipse is an exciting chance for Manchester residents to witness the beauty of the natural world in action.

The post Manchester Set to Experience a Rare Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29, with a Comprehensive Guide to Safe Viewing, Local Events and Expert Insights into the Phenomenon appeared first on Travel And Tour World.