The UK has experienced a partial solar eclipse, due to which it is expected that by the end of this month, darkness may take over Ashbourne during the day for more than a couple of hours. The event will happen on just before 8.30am on Friday, 20th of March.

Such a phenomenon takes place when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth. The moon will not cover the disc of Sun fully, but around 90% of the Sun will be blocked out by the Moon as it passes by.

Patrick Poitevin, an astronomer from Ashbourne explained that there are three kinds of solar eclipse – total, partial and annular.

In the case of total eclipse Moon covers the Sun fully, whereas in partial and annular eclipses only a part of the Sun is hidden. The occurrence of planetary transits takes place when a planet Mercury or Venus passes in front of the Sun.

Patrick said that in the case of total eclipse, you fall into complete darkness and it seems like you are in the middle of the night where in you can see all the twinkling stars and planets and the birds fall silent.

He added, "And, although this is a partial eclipse, Ashbourne will still have 88% of the Sun blocked, starting at 8.26am and ending at 10.41am”.

The UK had experienced its last partial solar eclipse in January 2011 and the next one will take place on 21st August 2017, which means the present one is certainly something to experience.

Patrick has warned people not to look at the Sun directly even if it is partially blocked by the Moon. He suggested them to see the Sun only through the protective eclipse glasses.