People across Scotland are urgently searching for certified eclipse glasses ahead of the UK’s best view of a solar eclipse in almost three decades.
Up to 95% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon on Wednesday evening, creating the most significant partial solar eclipse visible from the UK since August 1999.
Experts warn that people should never look directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse, as even brief exposure can cause permanent eye damage.
However, many high street shops have already sold out of eclipse glasses, while online shoppers who find a pair may not receive them before the eclipse begins.
The partial solar eclipse will begin in Scotland at approximately 18:00, with the full event expected to last around two hours.
Looking at the Sun without suitable eye protection is extremely dangerous, even for a moment.
Certified eclipse glasses help protect the eyes from harmful solar radiation. Direct sunlight can damage the retina and potentially cause long-term vision problems.
Genuine solar eclipse glasses should display the safety certification ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015 on the product.
For previous major solar eclipses, newspapers have distributed free eclipse glasses, while schoolchildren have been photographed viewing the Sun safely with certified protective eyewear.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk