Lookahead to partial eclipse visible in Gibraltar on Wednesday

All eyes will be on the Bay of Gibraltar tomorrow as we experience a partial solar eclipse just before sunset.

Dubbed one of the most striking astronomical events visible to the Rock in decades, both the Astronomical Society and the GHA are advising those who intend to watch it, to do so safely with the eclipse glasses.

It's rare event and Gibraltar will be one of the best places to see it. This phenomena will be a 93% partial eclipse, which means the Moon will obscure almost the entire solar disc just before sunset. This will leave only a narrow crescent of sunlight producing noticeably subdued daylight across Gibraltar.

As it takes place on the north-west sky, the best places to see it will be:

Elevated terraces and rooftops offering clear views across the Bay of Gibraltar, West View Park, QueenswayPromenade, Little Bay and Camp Bay, which is where GBC will be tomorrow live.

President of the Gibraltar Astronomical Society, William Recagno, is advising the public against looking directly at the Sun without proper protection.

Advice also seconded by the GHA, who say this can cause serious and permanent eye damage known as solar retinopathy.

So can you watch the eclipse through a phone screen? It is generally safer than looking directly at the Sun, but photographing the eclipse without proper filters can still damage camera sensors.

It is also not advisable to use binoculars or telescope without certified solar filters attached to the front of the equipment. 

Children can also observe the eclipse but should always be supervised and wear properly fitted eclipse glasses throughout viewing.

Those who want to watch the eclipse are advised to use certified ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses, which are available locally.

Next year Gibraltar will be at the epicentre of a total solar eclipse on the 2nd August, which will garner huge international attention.

But for now GBC News will bring you live coverage of tomorrow's partial eclipse.