The biggest solar eclipse for 15 years is set to happen next month.
The UK will be plunged into darkness in March in the biggest solar eclipse since August 1999.
The moon will cover the sun, blocking out its light, on the morning of March 20.
Nearly 90 per cent of the sun’s rays will be blocked in parts of Europe – with some of Scotland seeing 94 per cent darkness.
The blackout will begin in the UK at 8.45am and the maximum eclipse, when the moon is nearest the middle of the sun, will be at 9.31am.
The blackout will come to an end at 10.41am.
The August 1999 event was the first total eclipse since 1990 and the first seen in the UK since 1927.
We will keep you updated with how best to experience the solar eclipse in Teesside.
Factfile
• A solar eclipse is when the sun is obscured by the moon;
• The moon fully or partially blocks the sun’s light from reaching earth;
• It can only happen at the phase of ‘new moon’, which is when the moon moves directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earth’s surface;
• Solar eclipses happen on average 2.4 times a year;
• In 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2011 there were solar eclipses visible from the UK - but they were only partial;
• This upcoming eclipse is likely to plunge the UK into darkness with Scotland seeing 94% of its sun rays being blocked out;
• It will be the biggest since the last significant eclipse in 1999.
Can you remember where you were during the last solar eclipse? Let us know your memories by emailing mieka.smiles@trinitymirror.com
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