Staff and students from the School of Physical Sciences were out in force at a solar eclipse event run by the student Space Society.

The Space Society organised the special event, set at the telescope domes in Parkwood, in association with BBC’s Stargazing Live. Free glasses were given out to help view the eclipse, and academics answered questions while hoping the skies would clear.

The event was scheduled to be from 08:30-10:30 and many were there from the outset. The eclipse itself however – due to peak at 09:34 – remained stubbornly enshrouded in cloud.

Professor Michael Smith, head of the Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences said ‘Clouds are good at eclipsing the Sun but not our spirits. It was a tremendous feeling of sharing a special hour that will not return. On this side of the blanket of the clouds we were warmed while the Universe carried on doing what it does best.’

Rob Cross, one of the Rocketry officers for the Space Society added: ‘We expected the sun to be 80% covered but instead it was 100% covered… shame it was by clouds!’

The next solar eclipse will occur next year in Indonesia. The next one visible in the UK is not until 2026.

For more information, contact Kim Britnell.