ENTHUSIASTS of all things celestial will be looking to the skies this Friday as a partial eclipse bathes the region in darkness.

For several hours in the morning the moon will be clearly visible moving across the face of the sun, an event very rare in this part of the world.

It will be the most prominent eclipse of its kind since the full eclipse of 1999, with around 80 per cent of the sun expected to be covered.

Unfortunately, anyone looking to see a full eclipse this time will need to travel to the Faroe Islands but there will still be a good show here as long as the forecast clouds clear.

However, the Swindon Stargazers group are not deterred and will be heading to Uffington, which has a clear skyline providing optimum viewing.

Chairman Peter Struve said: “Our members are looking forward to it.

“It is a special event because a partial or total eclipse is so rare in this part of the world.

“There is usually one around the world most years, but there won’t be another around here until the next decade.

“We will be up there very early because it will start at around sunrise.”

While many will enjoy the eclipse and it will likely be spectacular, there is a great risk to people’s eyesight if they do not observe it correctly.

Peter says it is imperative people do not stare directly into the sun or they risk losing their eyesight permanently.

He said: “We always say people should enjoy the eclipse but they must do it safely.

“You can lose your eyesight instantly.

“Even a full eclipse can only last a few minutes so it could suddenly become bright again.

“You can buy special protective goggles or wear a welding mask.

“The best way is through a back projector. If you have a pair of binoculars, cap off one of the lenses and then focus the light through the other onto a piece of card. That’s safest way.”

Taking pictures through a camera is also inadvisable as the sun may damage the lens.

While there is not forecast to be any rain on Friday morning, it is expected to be quite cloudy but there could be breaks making the eclipse clearer.

However, even if it is cloudy, there will be a noticeable dimming of the light.

A Met Office spokesman said: “We are expecting a settled week with quite a lot of cloud this week and Friday should be no different.

“There will be breaks in the cloud but it is too early to say exactly where these will occur.”

Meanwhile on Friday tandem skydive centre GoSkydive at Old Sarum, near Salisbury, is offering a lucky few the chance to see the solar eclipse in a whole different light.

Jumpers will choose from a jump altitude of 10,000ft or 15,000ft, depending on how much time they want to spend in the sky during the eclipse.

From 15,000ft jumpers will reach speeds of up to 125 mph as they freefall for about 60 seconds before the parachute is deployed through the eerily dark sky as the moon passes over the sun.

Eclipse jumps will begin at 8.30am through to about 9.30am when the eclipse visibility will be at its optimum in Salisbury, with up to 90 per cent of the sun being covered by the moon during its passing.

Gordon Blamire, founder and managing director of GoSkydive, said: “We’re very excited to be offering skydives during the solar eclipse, and we still have a limited number of places left on offer.

"It’s not very often opportunities such as this come about - it is certainly going to make for fascinating views across the Salisbury Plains and the south coast, as well as an unforgettable experience, even for our instructors.” 

Places cost from £249 per person. To book a solar eclipse skydive, call 01722 568777 or visit www.GoSkydive.com