Solar eclipse LIVE: Last-minute scramble for specialist glasses as millions in London to watch historic event
Londoners are scrambling to get their hands on specialist glasses to watch the most significant solar eclipse in a generation.
The rare celestial event takes place today, with the moon set to cover around 90 to 92% of the sun, and Londoners have been going to great lengths to make sure they don’t miss it.
Queues have snaked around shops and stalls at locations including Old Spitalfields Market, Bond Street, Wimbledon, Arsenal and Greenwich in the hunt for a pair of specialist glasses.
The Standard will be providing a live stream of the eclipse.
Follow our live blog for the latest solar eclipse updates...
Live updates
Can I watch the solar eclipse without glasses?
Yes, there is a way you can watch the solar eclipse without buying glasses. So, don’t fret if you haven’t managed to get your hands on a pair.
Jake Foster, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich:“If you don't have a pair of eclipse glasses, you can still view the eclipse indirectly.
“Any household item with small round holes in it, such as a colander or even a piece of paper with a small hole poked in it, can project an image of the eclipse onto a flat surface.
“Don't look at the Sun itself, but instead at the shadow that's being produced, you should be able to see the shape of the eclipse within it.”
Video: Queues for glasses inside a convenience store in Whitechapel
A shopkeeper in Whitechapel has said he has been so busy with the selling of glasses for the solar eclipse that he’s barely had any time to eat.
Queues have snaked around the block of the AM2PM store, with owner Ali Raza being forced to turn people away.
He said that customers were making extensive journeys to locate the specialist glasses.
“On Sunday we had people coming from Surrey, Southend-on-Sea, yesterday night a lady came from Southampton, and loads of people have come from Birmingham as well. We’re too busy,” he said.
“Today I already sold 6,000 pairs. At 2.30am we had a delivery from Spain and by 9.30am we sold out everything.”
Royal Observatory astronomer reveals what to look for in solar eclipse glasses
Where to buy solar eclipse glasses in the UK
The last total solar eclipse which could be seen from the UK was in 1999 – you’re going to want to see this one
'Counterfeit glasses can cause damage to the eyes', eye doctors warn
Consumers have been warned against using “knock-off” glasses to watch the event and eye doctors urged people to avoid looking directly at the sun, with even brief exposure causing lasting vision damage.
Only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection should be used to view the eclipse and sunglasses are not sufficient, experts said.
Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse.
Around 40% had looked at it for less than a minute.
Londoners scramble to get solar eclipse glasses ahead of the rare event
The solar eclipse has sent Londoners into a frenzy this week, as thousands of people have tried to get their hands on a pair of specialised glasses to watch the solar eclipse.
Hundreds of people queued at Old Spitalfields Market yesterday to get a pair, with other known locations in Wimbledon, Greenwich, Arsenal and Bond Street.
But, the glasses are selling out fast and locations are popping up and disappearing quickly.
Some individuals are selling glasses online, but be wary, as they might be counterfeit.
You must use specialist solar eclipse glasses that are explicitly certified to meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
We’ll keep you updated with any known locations selling glasses today.
Major retailers sell out of specialist glasses
Specialist glasses have sold out at major retailers as Brits prepare for the best solar eclipse in decades.
More than 90% of the sun will be obscured by the moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm on Wednesday, the most it has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.
Convenience stores, national parks and the Royal Greenwich Observatory have all exhausted their glasses supplies ahead of the eclipse, which will be the country’s fullest for the next 54 years.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory said it had sold approximately 15,000 pairs of eclipse glasses – a sellout – in the last month.
Where can I watch the solar eclipse in London?
London’s hills and open spaces will be the best places to watch the solar eclipse on Wednesday evening.
The eclipse will begin at 6.17pm and the height of the eclipse is expected at 7.13pm. From London, it will last around 1 hour and 49 minutes until 8.06pm.
Here is a list of some of the best vantage points in the capital.
When is the solar eclipse happening today?
Londoners are preparing for a rare partial solar eclipse today, with the moon set to cover around 90 to 91% of the sun.
The eclipse will begin at 6.17pm, reaching its maximum at 7.12pm, before coming to an end at 8.06pm.
As this is not a total eclipse, the sky will not turn completely dark.
Instead, London is expected to fall into an unusual twilight, with the light taking on the appearance of an overcast day.
There may also be a sudden drop in temperature and changes in wind conditions as the eclipse reaches its peak.
Follow our live blog for all the latest updates as London watches the eclipse unfold.
