00:00At exactly 6.17pm UK time, a partial solar eclipse will start to darken skies across the world.
00:07Here in Kent, we'll be seeing what is known as a partial solar eclipse.
00:11Professor David Rees from the Mid-Kent Astronomical Society
00:14says it will be the best eclipse we've seen in Kent in the past 30 years.
00:19These eclipses only occur rather rarely.
00:22The last really good one we had in the UK was in 1999, so 27 years ago.
00:27So this one is one we've been looking forward to for some time.
00:31A lot of my astronomy colleagues are out getting ready and will be making observations of the sun
00:39as the moon crosses its surface later this afternoon and this evening.
00:43The once in a generation event is grabbing the attention of all ages.
00:47Judy, who's on work experience, is particularly excited to get the chance to see it from a professional's perspective.
00:53The best bit will probably be the peak when it's almost fully covered.
00:57And you can see both at the same time and I'm really, really excited for that, definitely.
01:01I have some friends who are, like, celebrating it and going out and seeing it
01:05when they usually don't really like space stuff.
01:07So it's nice that it kind of incorporates everyone, really, because everyone knows how amazing it is.
01:12So these are the glasses that have been selling out across the country
01:16as people prepare for the solar eclipse this evening.
01:18But people like David are going to be using special telescopes with special filters in order to see it.
01:24This set-up cost around £10,000.
01:26But he says tonight is particularly exciting because it's not just the solar eclipse that he's preparing to see.
01:32Well, we'll be using the big telescope at the back for observing what's called the Omega nebula,
01:42which is a bright gas nebula.
01:44We were doing some observations of it last night.
01:46Later on in the night, we'll be taking images of what's called the Lunar Sodium Tail.
01:52This is a great cloud of sodium released from the lunar surface,
01:56which comes past the Earth like a comet tail
01:59and is focused by the Earth's gravity field into a spot in the sky.
02:02After that, we'll probably have a look for a comet
02:06and then we'll be trying to observe a comet as dawn approaches
02:10and maybe also look at Saturn.
02:12If you were not lucky enough to get your hands on a pair of the solar viewing glasses,
02:16there are a number of other methods you can use to get a glimpse.
02:19It is safe to use a piece of paper with a small hole in it, like a millimetre diameter,
02:25and then project the sun's image onto another sheet of white card.
02:29That's perfectly safe.
02:30It's also safe to use a colander.
02:33But, you know, don't look at the sun directly without having your glasses on.
02:38Make sure they fit properly, and then it's safe to look at the sun.
02:42If you're hoping to see the eclipse this evening, make sure you do it safely.
02:46And with clear skies expected across Kent, we're in for a spectacular show.
02:51So keep your eyes protected, look up safely, and certainly enjoy it.
02:55Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Rye.
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