Tonight's the night: the moon will pass in front of the sun creating a rare almost-full solar eclipse.
“This is the best solar eclipse the UK has seen since 1999, and we won’t see another eclipse of this magnitude until 2081,” Jake Foster, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told Country Living.
Nobody wants to miss it. But what to do if you haven't managed to get your hands on solar eclipse glasses?
There have been reports of a rush on eclipse glasses, with online stocks sold out and people queueing at shops rumoured to be restocking.
Whatever you do, don't look at the eclipse with the naked eye. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that permanent damage can be done within seconds:
“During an eclipse, the sun appears dimmer than usual. This makes it easier to look at directly – and that's precisely the problem. The reduced brightness can override the body's natural reflex to look away, allowing intense sunlight to reach and damage the retina.
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“This damage happens without causing any pain, so you may not realise harm is occurring until it's too late.”
Regular sunglasses won't cut the mustard either: ISO-compliant glasses are about 100,000 times darker than normal sunglasses.
Fear not, though. With the help of a humble kitchen cupboard staple, the colander, you can safely view tonight's solar event.
How to view the solar eclipse using a colander
- Find a colander and a blank sheet of paper
- Position the colander towards the sun, ensuring that you look away from the sun
- Place the paper underneath it and watch as hundreds of mini eclipses appear on your paper.
In fact eye specialist David Jones, consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, told the BBC this is his favourite way of witnessing an eclipse:
"If you hold the colander to the Sun and you look away from the Sun, protecting your eyes, you can make not just one picture of the Sun but a hundred all at once."
John Lewis has even seen a spike in colander sales, with a spokesperson telling Country Living: “Colander sales have surged nearly 40% compared to last year, as shoppers prepare for tonight's eclipse.
"We’ve still got plenty of stock for anyone wanting to view this solar phenomenon safely and, unlike eclipse glasses, you can use it to strain your spaghetti for dinner afterwards.”
So go forth and enjoy this rare lunar phenomenon safely. Just remember, whatever you do, don't look up!
Cara is Commissioning Editor at Country Living, covering everything from style and interiors to sustainability, artisans and the great outdoors. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in Music from the University of Oxford. Follow Cara on Instagram @caralaskaris or Linkedin.
