How to see the solar eclipse in the UK on Monday

On Monday, April 8, millions of people across North America will be able to witness a spectacular astronomical event: a total solar eclipse. Its path of totality (that is, where the eclipse is fully visible) will span Mexico, the US and Canada, with the Moon’s shadow set to fly from Mazatlan to Newfoundland in the easternmost tip of Canada.

The estimated 31.6m people who live in the path of totality will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the phenomenon. The path is longer and wider (115 miles) than almost every other total eclipse that's happened before - covering 15 states in the US alone - because the moon is closer to the Earth and casts a bigger shadow.

It's been dubbed the Great American Eclipse, has its own website and has been described as the "cosmic event of the century" by BBC Science Focus. So, it's a pretty big deal.

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Here in the UK we sadly won't get a chance to see the total eclipse, but it will be partially visible from parts of the UK and Ireland - including Wales. Here's everything you need to know if you want to get a glimpse.

What is a solar eclipse?

An eclipse of the Sun happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in alignment, with the Moon passing between the other two and blocking the Sun from our view. When this happens, the Moon's shadow is cast over our planet and people in the shadow can see the eclipse.

There are different types of solar eclipse depending on which part of the Moon's shadow you're in. These include total - when the Moon blocks all of the Sun's light - and partial - when it blocks only part of its light.

A total solar eclipse is what people in North American will see on Monday. It will be an unforgettable experience, with the sky darkening in the daytime for a few minutes, other planets in our solar system visible to the naked eye, and dazzling celestial features on display. You can read more about what people will be able to see here.

How rare are eclipses?

Eclipses aren't actually that rare. Two to five solar eclipses happen each year, with a total eclipse happening every 18 months somewhere around the world. But it takes 400 years for a total solar eclipse to happen again in the same specific location.

There is lots of interest about the upcoming April 8 eclipse for various reasons - one being that an eclipse in this location is rare, with the next total solar eclipse in the contiguous US expected in 2044. It's also pretty amazing that the path of totality will sweep such a large populated area - including major cities - meaning millions of people will get to see it without leaving home.

If you're wondering, the last time the UK experienced a total eclipse was 1999, with thousands of people descending on Cornwall, which was the only place in the UK it could be seen in its totality due to cloud cover. We won't see one here again until 2090.

Where and when can you watch the April 8 eclipse in the UK?

You might be able to see the partial solar eclipse in parts of the western UK and Ireland just before sunset - between 7.52pm and 8.51pm - on Monday. Places where it could be visible include in Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Aberdeen, Londonderry, Belfast, Belmullet, Galway and Dublin.

Belmullet in Ireland are expected to experience the biggest obscurity of the Sun at 44.2%, while in Galway it will be 35.5%. In the UK, 21.5% of the Sun will be covered if you witness the spectacle from Londonderry and 11.2% in Glasgow. Meanwhile just 0.64% of the star will be obscured if you're in Liverpool.

Experts say you'll need to have a clear view to the west, a clear sky and ideally be on high ground. According to Time and Date, the partial solar eclipse will be visible in Cardiff for two minutes from 7.56pm until 7.58pm.

How can you safely watch it?

You could get permanent eye damage if you look directly at the Sun with the naked eye - so it's recommended you get hold of a pair of special solar eclipse classes with a UV-ray filter if you plan on taking a glimpse. If you can't get any, or aren't in a place where the eclipse is visible, you can always watch the cosmic phenomenon online. Nasa will be live streaming it on YouTube and it will also be live streamed on the BBC website.