Are you ready for the solar eclipse? We hope so as it'll be another 11 years before you get the opportunity.
The eclipse on the 20th March, 2015 will mark the last total solar eclipse in Europe for over a decade with the next one not being until August 2026.
The partial solar eclipse that we will be fortunate enough to witness will begin in the Manchester area at around 8.45am, be at it's peak at around 9.30am and will end at around 10.30 am.
At it's peak approx 90% of the sun will be covered and light will fade for a short time.
How does a solar eclipse happen?
Although the moon orbits the earth once per month an eclipse only happens when it lines up perfectly with the sun and moon. On the 20th March this will happen and allow us to witness something rather amazing.
It is however, most important that you do not try to look at the sun directly during the eclipse as this can cause retinal damage, even if most of it is obscured by the moon. If you have been fortunate enough to purchase a pair, special glasses can be used to view the eclipse directly. If not there is still a way that you can observe it and there are a number of websites that will show you how you can do this with just two pieces of paper and a pin.
If you get the opportunity then why not visit www.bbc.co.uk who will also be hosting live coverage?
However you watch, we hope you do it safely.
