The solar eclipse as seen on 20 March 2015 from Gulberwick - Photo: Austin TaylorEXCITEMENT is building for Wednesday’s almost total solar eclipse with hopes that the skies towards the west will be clear for people to witness the spectacle. Spectators in parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain will be able to see a rare total eclipse lasting for a little over two minutes. However, an 88 per cent coverage of the sun is still significantly more than what has been witnessed locally during recent partial solar eclipses, such as those on 10 June 2021 and 20 March 2015. Solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun’s light either partially or totally. People are strongly advised to wear special glasses when watching the eclipse and never look into the sun directly as solar radiation can damage the retina.