While the US will be treated to a full solar eclipse, our skies will see a partial version, with around 20-30% of the sun being covered as the moon passes before it — weather permitting.
Professor Michael Burton, director at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, is hopeful we will witness at least something of the impressive event.
“If you want to see a total eclipse, and it’s something I’d recommend everyone trying to see once in your life if there’s an opportunity, you do have to travel,” he explained.
“I was lucky to see one in the Outback in Australia 20 years ago, and it’s a spectacular moment.
“But what we might get to see in Northern Ireland on Monday evening is a partial eclipse.
“It should start around 7.55pm and the peak time to see it will be around 8.10pm if you’re at a high vantage point and looking to the west with a clear view of the horizon as the sun is going down.”
Professor Michael Burton, director at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
But there are a few things that must fall into place.
He added. “We’ll need the sky to be pretty clear for a start, and the best chance of seeing anything is to be as far west in Ireland as you can be.
“It won’t be the full show they’ll be treated to in America. We’d expect around a fifth of the sun to be covered by the moon
“While partial eclipses do happen once every one or two years, Ireland will have to wait until September 23, 2090 for the full show — and even then you’ll need to be somewhere around Co Kerry.
“For Northern Ireland gazers to get the total eclipse show, that’s not expected until April 14, 2200, when Downpatrick across to Enniskillen will be treated to the spectacular solar phenomenon.
“Those are a long way off, and I suspect anyone with an interest will have travelled if they want to be a part of the experience.”
The spectacular ring of fire during a full solar eclipse over the US and Mexico in 2015
Eyes will also be fixed on the horizon on Monday evening at Dark Sky Observatory in Davagh Forest.
Technical officer Hannah McShane is hoping the weather plays ball to give a clear view.
“The storm we’re expecting over the weekend has put a bit of a cloud over everything,” she admitted.
“We know it will be happening, but whether we can see it or not is in the hands of the weather gods.
“The forecast doesn’t look great. We’re going to have to have a clear view to the horizon, and it’s quite unusual for any sort of eclipse to be occurring right at sunset.
“But if anyone is out around 8-10pm-8.15pm, when the eclipse should be at its peak, and if we have a clear view of the sun going down, then it could be a spectacular sight.”
Belfast and Londonderry are listed as two of the UK cities where there could be a chance to view the eclipse, along with Aberdeen and Glasgow.
In America the total eclipse will give those watching the chance to see a ‘ring of fire’ as the moon obscures the sun.
The entire event lasts around two hours, during which time there will be darkness, with planets and comets possibly visible to the naked eye, and the potential for disruption to communications.
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
