The solar eclipse has generated “excitement” in Co Armagh as families gathered to observe the “remarkable astronomical event”
Director of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Professor Michael Burton, said visitors feel part of the “cosmic happening”, as the Moon is set to cover more than 90% of the Sun in a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday evening.
It is described as likely to be the deepest eclipse seen from the region since the total eclipse of August 1999 and the last time that such an eclipse will be seen here until 2090.
The west and south of Ireland are to see 98% coverage of the Sun, while this is expected to be around 94% in the east and north of the island.
Some areas of the world are expected to see a total eclipse, including parts of Spain, Greenland and Iceland.
Armagh Observatory has joined those in Dunsink, in Dublin, and Blackrock Castle in Cork in organising viewing events.
“We’re having one of these remarkable astronomical events, which tells us that we live on a spaceship – spaceship Earth – and it’s travelling around our solar system,” Mr Burton said.
“What’s going to happen tonight is that the Moon is going to come between the Earth and the Sun, and the Moon is just about the same angular size as the Sun is, and it’s going to just about block it all out and so we’re going to get an eclipse.
“It’s not going to be a total eclipse. It’s not going to go totally dark, but about 94, 95% of the Sun will be blocked out.”
Mr Burton said the planetarium in Armagh was “packed out” in anticipation of the eclipse.
“It does remind us that we are a small part of the universe, and this is a cosmic happening out there, and we are part of that.
“Most of the time, the stars are looking cleverly distant, and we don’t really feel like we relate for them. But an eclipse is one of those occasions where we know we’re part of a greater sphere, we’re part of major events in our solar system.
Dr Rok Nežič, conducting science communication and outreach at the Armagh Observatory & Planetarium, said the anticipation had been building from hours before the eclipse.
“It is something that can excite you about space because while eclipses are kind of common, to have them near you is very rare, and so it’s always nice to see the excitement around that,” he said.
“I will say, it’s always also hard to judge how much people get excited because we’re always excited, it’s our job, but it’s been so far fantastic.”
Dr Nežič said he “really hopes” this eclipse will inspire the next generation of astronomers.
“Just a couple days ago, I was talking to someone from America who, as a high school student, experienced an eclipse over in the States, and she was saying, she’s been chasing them again ever since, so she’s now going to Spain to do that.”
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