The UK and parts of Europe are all set to witness one of the most significant solar eclipses since 1999 with 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon in several parts of the UK. With growing excitement, shopkeepers are selling thousands of special solar eclipse glasses as people try to get a pair before the event this evening.
The greatest duration of totality will occur over the North Atlantic, west of Iceland Reykjavik will see totality at 5:48 p.m. local time, while parts of northern Spain including A Coruna and Bilbao will enter low-altitude totality starting at around 8:28 p.m. local time in northwestern Spain. On the contrary, Madrid and Barcelona will see a partial eclipse in most areas of Europe.
Experts have cautioned to not look directly at the Sun without protection as it can seriously damage your eyes. On the contrary, opticians are also getting calls desperately asking whether they had any eclipse glasses.
But a lot of customers are complaining that many shops refused to stock the protective eyewear. In this connection, Giles Edmonds, clinical services director said: “With the type of glasses required for viewing the eclipse, being a single-use item and designed for a relatively rare event, we’ve decided not to produce or supply them this time as it’s not the most sustainable choice for us.”
He further asserted that people should buy authentic goods from trusted vendors and not use an old pair of eclipse glasses until they have been checked for damage.
Moreover, a camera shop in Colwyn Bay has been outstripped by the growing demand for the special glasses which allow people to look at the solar eclipse. Rachel Worrilow from Colwyn said that one of the best spots to view the eclipse is to spend 40 minutes balking before giving up.
“I just feel like I would miss out if I didn’t watch it – FOMO rather than actual curiosity,”
“She further explained that she could have bought some of the specialist eyewear in Spain for one euro instead of the £4.99 being charged this morning.”
“I missed my chance to see the full eclipse with €1 glasses.”
The eclipse will be partially visible from northern and eastern Canada, Alaska and the northern United States in North America. In order to catch the best view, proper solar viewing glasses are required throughout the eclipse as looking directly at the Sun is dangerous.
The eclipse will reach its maximum in Western Europe and northwestern Africa. The UK’s next total eclipse is in 2090, France’s in 2081 and Germany will not see one until the upcoming century.
