A partial eclipse of the sun was visible from Salford for approximately an hour at 10:08 am this morning.

Gary Yule of the Salford Astronomical Society observed the partial solar eclipse as the sun was blocked out on today as the moon passed between it and the Earth.

Gary, chairman of the society, said: “In Salford, we only managed to observe the eclipse by using a telescope, even though, it has been visible across parts of the UK like Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“22% of the Sun was obscured at mid eclipse in Salford.”

Gary warned that anyone attempting to view a solar eclipse should protect their eyes.

Speaking on the Salford Astronomical Society’s 50th anniversary in 2021, Gary explained how the observatory has recently been upgraded.

Gary explained: “We wanted to upgrade our telescope as it only tracked in one direction.

“So, we have now installed another motor drive which is all rigged up to a smaller computer box, this computer basically has catalogues of the night sky in it, and once this telescope is aligned, we will be able to see all the corners of the sky.

“This then means we will be able to tell the scope where we want it to go.

“If we wanted to see Saturn, all we would need to do is click a button and the telescope will then move to that target.”

Salford Astronomical Society was established in the 60’s, the group used to meet at Chasely House. In 1970, the society acquired its first telescope, donated by Jodrell Bank.

in 1971 the society raised funds to build a dedicated observatory in Salford and accommodate the telescope at the Chaseley Field site.

The next eclipse is expected to be in 2026.