Partial solar eclipse to be visible today across Northern Ireland
Parts of Northern Ireland & Scotland are expected to enjoy the best views
Last updated 25th Oct 2022
A partial solar eclipse is taking place this morning and here's how you can watch the spooky celestial event.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon partially obscures the sun when the sun and moon are slightly out of line with the Earth.
It may be another 68 years until a total solar eclipse, so you don't want to miss this one.
Belfast is expected to see 25% of the sun hidden at 10.53am - and is expected to end at 11:51am.
For those keen to follow the event, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will stream the eclipse on its website and YouTube channel.
How should you watch the eclipse?
Whatever you do, do not look directly at the sun - doing so can damage your eyesight in the long term and will sting for a while shortly afterward.
Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society suggests to watch the eclipse with a pinhole in a piece of card.
"An image of the sun can then be projected on to another piece of card behind it (experiment with the distance between the two, but it will need to be at least 30cm).
"Under no circumstances should you look through the pinhole."
Dr Massey said another popular method used to view an eclipse is the mirror projection method.
He said: "You need a small, flat mirror and a means of placing it in the sun so that it reflects the sunlight into a room where you can view it on a wall or some sort of a flat screen.
"You may also have eclipse glasses with a certified safety mark, and these are available from specialist astronomy suppliers.
"Provided these are not damaged in any way, you can then view the sun through them."
Binoculars or telescopes can also be used to project the image of the sun.
Dr Massey said: "Mount them on a tripod and fit one piece of card with a hole in it over the eyepiece, and place another between 50cm and a metre behind it.
"Point the telescope or binoculars towards the sun and you should see its bright image on the separate card."
What will the weather be like?
According to the Met Office, Tuesday will start off as a 'bright dry morning with some sunny intervals. Cloud will thicken up a bit in the afternoon with the odd shower possible.'
Read more:
Deadline missed to claim £1M EuroMillions prize in Belfast
Newry school girl to represent Ireland in Junior Eurovision 2022
East Belfast: Security alert close to Belmont Road