- Ahead of Wednesday's eclipse, Efan warned people not to rely on special eclipse glasses used in 1999, saying "[They] are not suitable because they could be scratched or damaged, which could make you lose your vision."
- On Wednesday evening, the UK and parts of Europe will experience the most significant solar eclipse in almost three decades, with more than 90% of the Sun covered for most of the UK – the largest visible until September 2090.
- The eclipse will begin at approximately 18:10 BST, although timings will vary by location.
- Efan plans to view his first solar eclipse on the runway of a gliding club in Denbigh, expecting it to get "really cold" but calling it a "really exciting opportunity".
- Eleven-year-old Efan Dafydd has loved space since he was two, when his mother Lowri bought him a book called Gofod – Welsh for space.
- In October, Efan met his hero, retired British European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake, who gave him practical steps to become an astronaut.
On Wednesday evening, the UK will witness a rare solar eclipse, covering over 90% of the Sun, the largest such event until September 2090. The eclipse will begin at approximately 18:10 BST, with varying timings across the country.345
Efan Dafydd, an 11-year-old member of the Vale Stargazing Club, has cautioned against using scratched eclipse glasses, stating, "[They] are not suitable because they could be scratched or damaged, which could make you lose your vision." He emphasized that normal sunglasses won't work for viewing the eclipse, and special solar glasses are essential.7
Efan, who has been fascinated by space since he was two, plans to observe the eclipse from a gliding club in Denbigh. He expressed excitement about the event, noting it might get "really cold" during the eclipse, but considers it a "really exciting opportunity." He recalls his first solar eclipse experience and the thrill of stargazing, particularly his admiration for Jupiter and Neptune.6
The upcoming eclipse is significant, marking the most substantial solar event in nearly three decades, and is expected to draw attention from astronomy enthusiasts and the general public alike. Efan's warnings serve as a crucial reminder for safe viewing practices during this astronomical phenomenon.
“The eclipse begins at approximately 18:10 BST, with timings varying by location. Efan, a Vale Stargazing Club member, advises that normal sunglasses won't work and that solar filters are needed for phones, telescopes, or binoculars because UV light can destroy the lens.”
BBC
