More than 80% of the sun in Surrey and north-east Hampshire is expected to be obscured when Friday's (March 20) solar eclipse reaches its peak. <\/p>\n
As people brace themselves for a rare chance to witness the natural phenomenon, details of the percentage of sunlight in different parts of the UK have been estimated. <\/p>\n
The incredible event, the first viewable from the UK since 1999, will begin at around 7.40am as the moon begins to cover the sun. <\/p>\n
The minimum period of sunlight will occur at around 9.30am, but the eclipse is set to last until just after 11am. <\/p>\n
At 9.31am, the sunlight in Surrey and north-east Hampshire is predicted to be just 84%. <\/p>\n
Predicting what will happen, astro-physics expert Mark Geiles, from the University of Surrey in Guildford, said: \"Gradually it will get darker and darker with the minimum period of light at around 9.30am. <\/p>\n
\"The general effect will be like a very dark cloud covering the sun. <\/p>\n
\"If you really want to see what is actually happening, then you need to use special filtered glasses.\" <\/p>\n
The full 100% total solar eclipse will only be possible to witness in Svalbard in northern Norway and the Faroe Islands. <\/p>\n
However, if you want to travel to another part of the UK to experience more of the eclipse, then Scotland is the ideal location. <\/p>\n
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Solar eclipse 2015: Surrey and north-east Hampshire set for 84% darkness in peak period<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" More than 80% of the sun in Surrey and north-east Hampshire is expected to be obscured when Friday's (March 20) solar eclipse reaches its peak. As people brace themselves for a rare chance to witness the natural phenomenon, details of the percentage of sunlight in different parts of the UK have been estimated Continue reading