Stargazers will soon be able to spot a partial solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower within hours of each other
Skywatchers in Greater Manchester are in for a rare treat next month as two of the year’s biggest celestial events are set to take place within hours of each other.
On August 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK before the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight. The eclipse will see the Moon pass between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring around 90 per cent of the Sun from Manchester.
It will be the deepest solar eclipse visible from the UK since the famous 1999 event, when totality crossed parts of Cornwall and Devon.
While those watching from parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain will see a total eclipse, people across the UK will see the Moon appear to take a ‘bite’ out of the Sun, darkening the sky.
In Manchester, the eclipse is expected to begin at around 6.13pm, according to The Royal Observatory Greenwich. It will reach its maximum at around 7.10pm before ending by 8.04pm.
Because the eclipse takes place during the evening, the Sun will sit increasingly low in the western sky as the event unfolds. Anyone hoping to watch the whole spectacle should try to find a spot up high, with a clear view of the western horizon.
Experts warn that anyone planning to watch the eclipse should never look directly at the Sun without certified solar viewing glasses or other suitable equipment, as doing so can cause permanent eye damage.
Spot ‘shooting stars’ hours after the eclipse
Once the Sun has set, attention will turn to the second celestial event of the day. The Perseid meteor shower, widely regarded as one of the year’s most reliable and impressive meteor displays, is expected to peak overnight between August 12 and 13.
The annual shower occurs as the Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Tiny fragments burn up high in the atmosphere, producing the bright streaks of light commonly known as shooting stars.
The Perseids are particularly well known for producing bright ‘fireballs’, which are vivid meteors that can leave glowing trails lingering in the night sky.
This year’s display is set to be especially good because the eclipse coincides with a new Moon. With no bright moonlight washing out the sky, darker conditions should make fainter meteors much easier to spot.
The best chance of seeing the Perseids is after midnight and before dawn, although some meteors may be visible from around 10pm if skies are clear.
For the clearest views, experts recommend heading away from street lighting and built-up areas to somewhere with an open view of the sky. Allowing your eyes around 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness can also improve the chances of spotting more meteors.
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