Astrophysicist Brian May shares advice for viewing the solar eclipse

Queen guitarist Brian May has been sharing advice on how best to view the solar eclipse tonight (August 12).

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, resulting in the moon casting a shadow on the Earth. The last event of its kind visible occurred in the UK in 1999.

Much of Europe will experience a total eclipse while the likes of the UK will experience a partial eclipse this evening from 6.30pm BST.

Over the past few days, May, who is qualified astrophysicist after achieving a PHD degree in 2007, has been giving regular updates on his Instagram page, sharing advice on how best to view it.

In one particular post, he showed a partial eclipse so far. He also warned against “looking straight at the Sun” and not going “anywhere near a telescope or binoculars pointed at the Sun”.

May also suggested “making a small pin hole in a sheet of cardboard”, and “practice projecting an image of the Sun through this hole on to a piece of white card”.

In another post he shows himself in Spain preparing for the eclipse and he is hopeful of seeing a total eclipse but fears “there maybe clouds in the way” before explaining the difference between a partial eclipse and total eclipse.

He also shows advises on how to project the eclipse on to a plate in another clip.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight about the event May said: “It’s kind of a life changing experience, to see at total eclipse of the Sun every time.”

“This is only 1 minute 40 seconds or so,” he went on before adding: “I just wanna use my eyes and ears, every sense to absorb what I’m really taking part in.

“It’s a unique experience because you feel that you know where you are in space. It’s the only time that happens, You’re looking in towards the centre of our solar system, the Sun and you can never do this any other time, you can see the little family of planets around you and see the odd star around you.

“Suddenly you realise you’re on this ball of rock and it kind of feels like you could fall off, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Elsewhere, May has insisted “we actually don’t need AI” after using the tech to recreate an iconic Queen album cover.