Ireland experiences largest solar eclipse in a decade

This weekend, a significant partial solar eclipse will occur across Ireland on Saturday morning. This is the largest partial eclipse seen in the country in ten years. A partial solar eclipse takes place when the moon moves in front of the sun. This creates the effect of a "bite" being taken out of the sun. The last time Ireland experienced a similar eclipse was in March 2015, according to Astronomy Ireland. In Ireland, the eclipse will begin around 9:59 a.m. At its peak, around 10:59 a.m., about 57% of the sun will be covered by the moon. The eclipse will end at noon, but the timing may vary slightly depending on the location. In contrast, some areas in Canada will see a deeper eclipse, with as much as 94% of the sun obscured. Astronomy Ireland has issued a safety warning. It is important not to look directly at the sun, as this can cause eye damage. For safe viewing, people can use EU-certified filters or employ the "pinhole" method. This involves making a small hole in a piece of card, allowing sunlight to pass through and create an image of the sun on a white sheet of paper. It is important to note that this is not a total eclipse. A total eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun. The last total solar eclipse visible in North America took place in 2024, and the next will occur on August 12, 2026, affecting places like Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Spain and Portugal. David Moore from Astronomy Ireland reminded us that total solar eclipses are rare events. The last time one was seen in Ireland was in 1724, with the next expected on September 23, 2090.