Partial solar eclipse on Thursday

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 10, Ireland will experience a partial solar eclipse, where the shadow of the moon will cover almost a third (29%) of the Sun. This exciting cosmic event will start in the late morning and be visible until just after midday, when the Moon completes its passage in front of the Sun.

The Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) provided this useful information for all sky-gazers and amateur astrologists:

The eclipse will start at 9.58am and conclude at 12.18pm. The maximum point of the eclipse will be reached at 11.06am.

The eclipse will be most pronounced in the North West of the country and will cover 29% of the surface of the sun.

This type of eclipse is known as an annular eclipse and occurs when the Moon covers the Sun's centre but forms a “ring of fire” on its outer edge. However, this phenomenon will not be visible in Ireland.

A total solar eclipse is rare in Ireland, last occurring in 1727. But younger people in Ireland today might see the next, due to occur in 2090.

Safe viewing is essential, experts advise that you should never look directly at the Sun and never use any binoculars or telescopes. The only safe way to avoid permanent eye damage is to use specially designed eclipse glasses.

With sun light dipping during the event Ireland may appear to enter a dusk-like state. This will of course impact on the quantity of solar energy captured in Ireland on eclipse day, highlighting the tremendous untapped potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) in Ireland.