Worthing Astronomers to host free solar eclipse viewing event

Worthing Astronomers is inviting residents to attend a free public viewing event for the near-total solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12. The group will be based on the west side of the treeline at Goring Gap from 6pm to 8.30pm, where around 400 pairs of free solar glasses will be available and telescopes fitted with solar filters will be provided for public use.

Around 95 per cent of the Sun will be covered by the Moon, making it the deepest solar eclipse visible from the UK and Ireland since 1999. In Worthing, the eclipse is expected to begin at about 6.18pm, reach its maximum at 7.14pm and last for around one hour and 49 minutes.

Paul Ibbitson, who co-runs Worthing Astronomers, said the event would see daylight become noticeably darker, with birds and other wildlife likely to fall silent as they respond to the changing light. Further information is available from Worthing Astronomers.