Skywatchers across the UK are preparing for a rare and spectacular celestial event as the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking much of the Sun’s light.
The solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, is expected to attract attention from millions of people, with the Moon covering a significant portion of the Sun as the event unfolds. For a short time, daylight will take on an unusual appearance as the sky darkens and the Sun becomes a striking crescent.
Solar eclipses are particularly impressive because they depend on an extraordinary alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth. Although eclipses happen somewhere on Earth relatively regularly, seeing one from a particular location is much less common, making the event an opportunity for families, photographers and astronomy enthusiasts to experience something out of the ordinary.
Across the Fylde coast, the long stretch of coastline provides numerous potential viewing locations, from Blackpool’s famous piers and promenade to the beaches and open spaces of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde.
Experts are urging people watching the solar eclipse to never look directly at the Sun, as doing so can cause serious and permanent damage to the eyes.
Here are some of the best places to watch the eclipse...
13. Knott-End-on-Sea: Enjoy a quieter coastal setting with open views across the water, making it an appealing alternative to the larger crowds further south.
Knott-End-on-Sea: Enjoy a quieter coastal setting with open views across the water, making it an appealing alternative to the larger crowds further south.
14. Lytham Green: Enjoy the eclipse from the expansive waterfront green, with uninterrupted views across the Ribble Estuary creating an atmospheric coastal backdrop.
Lytham Green: Enjoy the eclipse from the expansive waterfront green, with uninterrupted views across the Ribble Estuary creating an atmospheric coastal backdrop. | Julie Anne Walton
15. Lawson’s Field: Take advantage of the open space at this popular local recreation ground for a more relaxed eclipse-watching experience away from the seafront crowds.
Lawson’s Field: Take advantage of the open space at this popular local recreation ground for a more relaxed eclipse-watching experience away from the seafront crowds. | Google Maps
16. St Annes Beach Huts: Watch the eclipse from a classic Fylde Coast setting, with the colourful beach huts providing a distinctive foreground against the open sea and sky.
St Annes Beach Huts: Watch the eclipse from a classic Fylde Coast setting, with the colourful beach huts providing a distinctive foreground against the open sea and sky. | Lucinda Herbert