As the world witnesses another solar eclipse today, April 8, 2024, portions of the US will witness the solar eclipse.
In August 1999, the United Kingdom experienced a rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse. As the moon passed between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over the land, residents across the country gathered to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon.
In Southampton, eager spectators faced a challenge as clouds initially obscured their view. However, just in time, a crescent sun emerged through the cloudy sky, allowing them to catch a glimpse of the eclipse's magic.
Meanwhile, in Bournemouth, the city centre came to a virtual standstill as hundreds of shop and office workers poured into the streets to witness the event. The skies grew empty and quiet as birds, confused by the sudden darkness, went to sleep, mistaking it for nightfall.
At Bournemouth Beach, crowds had lined up along the shore, eagerly awaiting the spectacle. As the moon fully obscured the sun, the Needles lighthouse off the Isle of Wight shone red through the darkness, adding to the surreal atmosphere. Hundreds of camera flashes illuminated the cliffs as spectators attempted to capture the fleeting moment of totality, creating a mesmerising scene.
For those fortunate enough to witness the eclipse, it was an experience they would never forget. The event served as a reminder of the awe-inspiring power of nature and our place within the vastness of the universe.
As the US, Canada, and Mexico also experienced their total eclipses, memories of the 1999 event resurfaced, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of taking the time to look up at the sky.
Isaac Newton’s birthplace, WoolsthorpeManor, Lincolnshire
Women from the Happy Hour Project engaged in creative workshops
