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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Stuart Clark

Starwatch: Deep partial solar eclipse in UK to precede the Perseids

A partial solar eclipse, with a statue from the Liver building in the foreground
Last year’s partial solar eclipse, as seen from Liverpool. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak this week on the night of 12-13 August, and this year comes with an added bonus. Earlier on 12 August, a deep partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK.

The partial solar eclipse begins shortly after 6pm BST and reaches its maximum at around 7.13pm. From much of the country, about 90% of the sun’s diameter will be obscured, making this the deepest solar eclipse visible here since 1999. The sun will be low in the western sky throughout the event, so choose a location with a clear horizon.

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