Monmouthshire to witness rare partial solar eclipse

MONMOUTHSHIRE residents will have the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse on the evening of August 12 as it becomes visible from South Wales.

The eclipse is due to start around 6.15pm with maximum coverage at around 7.13pm when the sun is around 12 degrees above the horizon. The eclipse will end at around 8.07pm and the sun will set at 8.42pm.

This partial solar eclipse will be something to remember as it's the first in around three decades that more than 90 per cent of the sun is expected to cover the moon.

But safety rules still apply. Under no circumstances should anyone look directly at the sun with the naked eye appropriate special solar eclipse glasses should be worn, normal sunglasses do not protect eyes from the strong sun beams during the eclipse and failure to do this can cause series eye damage.

We have curated the top three places to watch this years partial solar eclipse.

The Kymin will allow an elevated viewing point to witness the partial solar eclipse.

This viewpoint located in the Wye Valley National Landscape near Monmouth and Trellech offers a high vantage point for viewing the evening sky during the partial solar eclipse.

Offers an array of view points from high up view points, providing a scenic landscape of the Wye Valley area.