Cavan and Monaghan set for solar spectacular
People are being reminded that looking directly at the Sun can cause serious and permanent eye damage
Sky watchers across Cavan and Monaghan are being urged to look to the skies (safely) on Wednesday evening as Ireland prepares to witness one of its most dramatic solar eclipses in decades.
The partial solar eclipse on August 12 will see the Moon pass between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking out the vast majority of the Sun's disc.
Across Cavan and Monaghan, the eclipse will begin shortly after 6.09pm, with the greatest point of the eclipse expected at around 7.07pm to 7.10pm.
It will then gradually come to an end at approximately 8.07pm.
At its peak, around 94–95% of the Sun is expected to be obscured in parts of the two counties, leaving only a small sliver of the Sun visible.
The eclipse is being described as a once-in-a-generation astronomical event. It will be the most significant solar eclipse visible from Ireland since 1999, while an eclipse of comparable significance is not expected over Ireland again until 2090.
While parts of south-west Ireland will experience even greater coverage- with Cork and Kerry expected to see close to 97% of the Sun obscured- Cavan and Monaghan will still have an exceptional view if skies are clear.
Irish observatories are preparing to host a series of family-friendly events to celebrate a rare procurance.
Eclipse event
People in Monaghan will have the opportunity to experience the event together at Knocknagrave Environmental Centre, where an eclipse viewing event is being held from 6pm.
Organisers are inviting members of the public to come along and safely observe the astronomical phenomenon as the Moon gradually moves across the face of the Sun.
Although Wednesday's event will not be a total eclipse in Cavan or Monaghan, for many younger people, it will be their first opportunity to witness an eclipse of this magnitude from Ireland.
With large crowds expected to take an interest in the eclipse, people are being reminded that looking directly at the Sun can cause serious and permanent eye damage, even when most of the Sun is covered.
Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient protection.
Anyone wishing to view the eclipse directly should use certified solar eclipse glasses or another properly designed solar viewing filter. Another safe option is to use a pinhole projector, which allows the image of the Sun to be viewed without looking directly at it.