A solar eclipse will plunge the UK into darkness next month…on the morning of March 20th, the moon will cover the sun blocking out its light.
In parts of Europe nearly 90 per cent of the sun’s rays will be blocked and some parts of Scotland will experience 94 per cent darkness.
This event will be the largest solar eclipse since 1999 and astronomers say that the next total eclipse is not due until 2026
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However, this year’s solar eclipse is unlikely to pass without incident, according to experts.
Because solar energy is being used more and more, the chances of Europe’s power grids being affected is high and the eclipse may cause major blackouts.
The Mail Online reports: A solar eclipse is set to block out nearly 90 per cent of sunlight across parts of Europe next month – and it will be the biggest event of its kind in 16 years.
On 20 March, the moon’s orbit will see it travel in front of the sun, casting a shadow over Earth.
The eclipse will see up to 84 per cent of the sun covered in London – and around 94 per cent in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, electricity system operators have warned the eclipse poses a serious risk of blackouts all over Europe as the continent increasingly relies on solar power.
The event is taking place on the morning of 20 March, and a partial eclipse will be visible across Europe, North Africa and Russia for about 90 minutes.
Northern Scandinavia and the Faroe Islands will experience a full eclipse, known as totality.
Dr Steve Bell, head of the HM Nautical Almanac Office told MailOnline that Torshavn in the Faroe Islands will see two minutes and two seconds of totality.
And the maximum duration of totality will be two minutes 47 seconds at a point 186 miles (300km) to the east of Iceland in the Norwegian Sea.
In London, the partial eclipse – when the moon starts touching the sun’s edge – will start at 8.45am GMT. The maximum eclipse will hit at 9.31am and this will be the point when the moon is closest to the centre of the sun.
By 10.41am the moon will leave the sun’s edge and the partial eclipse will end.
