There will be a partial solar eclipse over East Lammermuir on Wednesday 12th August, with over 90% of the Sun being obscured, quite low in the western sky. The peak will be just after 7pm, but the Moon will gradually move in front of the Sun between 6:08 and 8pm.

It’s not as dramatic as a Total eclipse, which will be over Spain this time, but still worth a look with eclipse glasses, or by using a pinhole projector to show a reverse image on the ground. Do not look directly at the Sun at any point.

You need to be able to see the sun in the western sky, so don’t have the Lammermuirs in the way, nor trees. It might be worth checking on Monday or Tuesday where has a clear view around 7pm.

Europe has not seen a total solar eclipse since 1999, you may remember seeing the partial solar eclipse then. It is a ‘Cosmic Coincidence’ that a total eclipse can occur – the Sun’s diameter is about 400 times the Moon’s. The Sun is also (on average) about 400 times farther away. And so the two celestial bodies appear almost the same ‘size’ in the sky, allowing those in the path of totality to see only the solar corona. IF skies are clear.

Whilst a total solar eclipse is something wonderous and rare, you may not even notice that a partial solar eclipse is going on. It might seem like an early twilight as the sun lowers in the sky. Keep checking through a pasta colander, a loose weave straw hat or just holes made in cardboard – all held below eye level so you can see the image projected onto the ground.

Of course certified eclipse glasses are ideal, as long as they are not scratched. Don’t look through your mobile phone either or point it directly at the sun. If you have a spare pair of eclipse glasses, you could cut one lens to go over your mobile phone camera. View the eclipse safely.

Wednesday evening between 6:30 and 7:30 will be the main part of this partial solar eclipse over Scotland, and later, after dark as a bonus, it will be the peak of the Perseids meteor shower. We just need the clouds and the haar to stay away.