Sefton eclipse viewing: the safe way to watch

Wednesday’s partial solar eclipse will draw public viewers to Ainsdale Beach on the Sefton Coast, where the key viewing time is 7.10pm. Sefton Council says visitors should arrive before then, when the eclipse will be at its peak. Beach parking costs £5 per car after 4pm or £10 for the full day, with last entry at 7.30pm.

The public viewing opportunity is open to anyone hoping to see the eclipse from the coast. No separate booking arrangement has been provided, but drivers need to account for the parking deadline and expected congestion.

Arrive before the eclipse reaches its peak

Ainsdale Beach parking will remain open for the event, although vehicles will not be admitted after 7.30pm. Visitors are being asked to begin leaving at 8pm, when the visible eclipse will be over.

Travelling by Merseyrail is recommended where possible to reduce pressure on local roads. Anyone driving should park responsibly and avoid obstructing residents, businesses or emergency access routes.

Readers considering another regional event can also see the details for Staffordshire’s eclipse viewing.

Safe viewing means never looking directly at the sun

Looking at the sun with the naked eye can cause permanent retinal damage, even when 90% of it is covered. Ordinary sunglasses do not block enough dangerous solar radiation, while watching the eclipse in a bucket of water provides no protection.

A pinhole projector offers an indirect viewing method. Make a small hole in card or foil, turn your back to the sun and project its image onto white paper. A kitchen colander or sunlight passing through tree leaves can also cast small crescent-shaped images onto the ground.

Special eclipse viewers should carry the ISO 12312-2 international safety marking. Scratched, torn or punctured viewers should not be used. Cameras, telescopes and binoculars must never be pointed at the sun for direct viewing.

Coast patrols and beach restrictions

Visitors should keep children nearby, keep dogs under control and remain clear of soft mud, channels and unstable sand. Everyone should also monitor the tide and their surroundings throughout the evening.

HM Coastguard Crosby will patrol the area. In an emergency, visitors should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Hot weather is still expected during the evening, so people attending should take care while spending time on the beach.

Snacks and drinks may be brought to the coast, but litter must be placed in the available bins or taken home. Barbecues, fires and camping are prohibited on the Sefton Coast. Visitors must also avoid disturbing the coast’s wildlife, including rare and protected species.

Source: Sefton Council