Bedfordians are set to experience a rare deep partial solar eclipse this evening, with the Moon covering around 90% of the Sun’s surface, leaving just a razor-thin crescent hanging low in the western sky.
Between 6.10pm and 8.00pm BST, the Moon will align between the Earth and the Sun, creating a partial eclipse. Eclipses this deep are rare from the UK, and it will be many years before we see another like it.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon aligns precisely between Earth and the Sun during its orbit.
This physical alignment casts a celestial shadow across Earth, temporarily obscuring the Sun’s light.
Throughout human history, these sudden darknesses inspired vivid folklore, from ancient myths of giant dragons or wolves devouring the Sun to omens of cosmic transformation.
Many cultures would beat drums, shout, or shoot arrows into the sky to frighten away the celestial beasts and restore daylight.
Viewing spots
Because the Sun will sit low in the western sky during the event, finding a location with an unobstructed horizon is essential.
Local stargazers and families planning to watch from open spaces along the Embankment, Priory Country Park, or elevated ground in Kempston or Putnoe and Brickhill should check their sightlines in advance.
Trees, buildings, and hills can easily block the view during the critical moment of maximum eclipse, which occurs shortly after 7.00pm BST.
As the Moon progresses across the Sun, observers will notice the daylight subtly dimming and cooling across Bedford Borough.
Near peak coverage, the landscape takes on a distinct silvery quality as the Sun turns into a thin crescent hanging low in the west.
The narrow path of totality, where the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon, will cross Greenland, Iceland, a small area of northeastern Portugal, and finally Spain.
Eye safety
Despite 90% of the Sun being covered, viewing the event directly without certified protection poses a severe risk of permanent eye damage.
Standard sunglasses, unequipped cameras, binoculars, and telescopes must never be used to look directly at the Sun.
Proper solar eclipse glasses or verified solar filters are required for any direct observation.
However, Linton Guise from the Bedford Astronomical Society (BAS) told the Bedford Independent that almost everywhere has now run out of solar eclipse glasses.
He urged people to take care and use other methods to watch the eclipse and avoid eye damage by not looking at the sun directly.
Kitchen colanders
Local families without specialised solar filters can still experience the eclipse safely using everyday household items.
Holding a simple kitchen colander up to the Sun projects dozens of tiny crescent shapes onto the ground, card, or a nearby wall, which can be viewed without looking at the Sun.
Natural gaps between tree leaves act in the same way, scattering small crescent patterns across paths and outdoor surfaces.
Bedford Borough Council has also shared some handy, safe ways to watch the eclipse using items sitting waiting for your orange-lidded recycling bin.
You can turn an old cardboard box into a simple pinhole projector.
Cut a hole in the box, fix some kitchen foil over it, and pierce a tiny hole in the foil. Put an old envelope or piece of paper at the bottom to view the image. If you have a larger box, you can cut another hole near the top to look through.
Alternatively, poke a hole in a piece of scrap cardboard and hold it over paper to watch without looking directly at the sun.
They also reminded Bedfordians to recycle the materials properly once the event finishes.
“Clean, dry, and loose paper, cardboard, cans, foil, Tetra Paks, glass bottles, and plastic containers can all go in your orange-lidded bin.
“Just remember to give food containers a quick rinse, flatten any cardboard, and avoid using black sacks”, said their spokesperson.
Live stream
If cloud cover interferes or a clear western sightline is unavailable, local people can watch official online live streams to enjoy the event safely.
A live stream of the partial eclipse will be available through the Royal Observatory Greenwich website, and a live stream of the full eclipse in Spain will be available via the European Space Agency (ESA).
