It has been talked about as one of the biggest spectacles for years.
But sadly for many, we may not be able to enjoy it.
Cloudy skies are set to spoil the party for the UK’s best solar eclipse in 16 years.
Weather experts across the country have united to admit: It’s going to be a cloudy day.
The long-awaited solar eclipse will plunge the skies into darkness on Friday morning – unless it’s cloudy.
Skygazers will be heading for Huddersfield Astronomical Society’s observatory in Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Hill, for 8.30am, hoping for a break in the weather.
Society president Robert Williams said the sun would be 90% covered by the moon with the partial eclipse at its peak after 9am.
Mr Williams said there were partial eclipses every 12 or 18 months and described this week’s event as “moderately exciting.”
However he added: “The next total eclipse is not due until 2090 so not many of us will still be around.”
The society has prepared special solar telescopes with hi-tech filters to protect against eye damage.
People wanting to view the eclipse are warned not to look directly at the sun with the naked eye.
Mr Williams added: “We have had a lot of enquiries through our website so if the skies are clear we could have 100 people or more at the observatory.
“Unfortunately if the clouds come over – which is the forecast – you will hardly know there’s been an eclipse. It may just go slightly more dull!
“For those who come along we will have members on hand to answer any questions and offer advice.”
According to the latest weather reports, the best chance of catching a glimpse now falls within a narrow area stretching from north east England, through Wales and south west England.
Low pressure is forecast to pass across large swathes of the country, bringing cloud cover.
Huddersfield weather expert Paul Stevens said: “It is difficult to be precise as to what people will see but there certainly looks to be a lot of cloud about on Thursday night and we need the winds to shift to move that by Friday morning.
“If the winds do shift to the north west there is a chance we could get some clearer spells in time for the eclipse.
“I would say it’s a 50/50 chance that people will get a good view of the eclipse. People will notice it going dark but if there is too much cloud it will not be a spectacle.”
The last time the UK saw a near total eclipse was 1999 when special glasses were produced.
Huddersfield skygazers will see the first glimpse of the moon at 8.27am. The maximum eclipse is at 9.33am and the moon leaves the sun at 10.42am.
