Partial solar eclipse to be visible in the UK this weekend - how to watch as clear skies forecast for the West Midlands

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the UK this weekend, but cloudy and rainy days could hamper those wishing to catch a glimpse.

The phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. The three will not be completely aligned, meaning only part of the Sun will be obscured.

The eclipse is expected to be visible in the UK from 9.56am to 12.14pm on Saturday, with the peak in London at around 11.03am.

With clear skies and the sun forecast to shine on the West Midlands during this time by the Met Office, we could be in with a chance of spotting the spectacle.

Those in northern parts of Scotland – which on a clear day would be one of the best places for viewing the eclipse – may be left disappointed due to cloud cover, however.

How to watch a solar eclipse

With clear skies forecast in the West Midlands during the predicted times for the partial solar eclipse, here's a quick guide on how to watch from the Natural History Museum. 

You should never look directly at the Sun. Even with sunglasses on or through dark material such as a bin bag or photo negative. These filters don’t protect your eyes against infrared radiation and can cause permanent eye damage. Never use binoculars or a telescope unless you have a special solar filter fitted or are using them to project the eclipse onto white card.

To watch a solar eclipse you can wear special eclipse glasses or construct a pinhole camera.