Dundee prepares for deepest solar eclipse that won't happen again until 2090

What the sun will look like in the sky next Wednesday from Dundee if the weather holds

This is one event you do not want to miss.

Next Wednesday (12 August), Dundonians will have the chance to witness one of the most remarkable astronomical events visible from the city in generations as a spectacular partial solar eclipse transforms the evening sky.

At its peak, around 91.6% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon, creating a breathtaking celestial display that won’t be matched from Dundee again until 2090.

For many people, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness such a deep eclipse without travelling abroad.

Where can I see it?

To help people experience the spectacle, Mills Observatory is hosting a special public viewing event at Broughty Castle Museum and its grounds from 6pm until 8.30pm.

While the observatory is Dundee’s home of astronomy, this unique event has been relocated because the evening Sun will be sitting extremely low on the western horizon.

From Mills Observatory, the surrounding trees and woodland would block the view almost entirely, making Broughty Castle the ideal location.

Visitors can enjoy the eclipse from the castle grounds, while Broughty Castle Museum will also remain open later than usual throughout the evening.

For those planning to watch independently, the summit of the Dundee Law is also expected to provide spectacular views thanks to its elevated position and clear western outlook.

Where can I get eclipse glasses?

You can get eclipse glasses online but you better order them quickly as they could sell out! If you are heading to the event at Broughty Castle, you can collect eclipse glasses there for £1, but it is first come first serve, so get there early!

You can use a simple pinhole projector to safely view the event indirectly if glasses are unavailable. All you need to a piece of white paper - stick a pinhole in it and you should see the eclipse projected on to the paper.

Remember to never ever look directly at the Sun!

What are the times?

The eclipse will begin at 6:07pm before reaching its maximum at approximately 7:04pm, when around 91.6% of the Sun will be hidden behind the Moon. The event will gradually come to an end at around 8pm as the Sun sets over the horizon.

Anyone planning to watch the eclipse is reminded never to look directly at the Sun without certified solar eclipse glasses or approved solar filters, as permanent eye damage can occur. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for viewing the Sun.

What is the weather going to be like?

At the time of writing, it is set to be sunny and cloudy with temperatures hitting 22C by maximum eclipse.

The Met Office and BBC Weather currently both report that it will be sunny and cloudy.

So if the weather holds, next Wednesday could be one of Dundee’s most memorable astronomical evenings for decades - and one that simply won’t come around again on this scale until 2090.

When is the next total solar eclipse visible from Dundee?

Not for a long time yet! The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from Dundee won’t happen until 7 October 2135.

To give you a distance at how long total solar eclipses bypass the same location twice, the last time Dundee witnessed a solar eclipse was back on 7 March 1598. So that was a period of 537 years!