Britain’s recent partial solar eclipse may have offered skywatchers a spectacular glimpse of the heavens, but those hoping to see the country plunged into complete darkness face a much longer wait.
The UK’s next total solar eclipse visible from mainland Britain is not expected until 23 September 2090, when the Moon will completely cover the Sun over parts of Cornwall.
The event is expected to take place close to sunset, with totality lasting around two minutes and 10 seconds in Cornwall. London will also experience a dramatic eclipse, with approximately 99.5% of the Sun expected to be obscured.
However, Londoners will have to wait even longer for a total eclipse directly over the capital. The next is forecast for 14 June 2151, when totality is expected to last around one minute and 22 seconds.
Skywatchers will not have to wait decades for another eclipse, however. Several partial solar eclipses are expected across the UK over the coming years.
The next opportunity will come on 2 August 2027, when around 30% of the Sun is expected to be covered in northern Scotland and almost 60% in south-west England. A total eclipse will be visible from Gibraltar on the same day.
Further partial eclipses are expected in 2028, 2030, 2036 and 2037, while another significant event is forecast for 12 September 2081. Up to 80% of the Sun could be obscured across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while the Channel Islands are expected to experience totality.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the Sun’s visible disc for observers along a narrow path.
Although total eclipses are rare in any particular location, partial eclipses provide regular opportunities for skywatchers to observe the Moon passing across the Sun.