A partial solar eclipse will be visible over Northern Ireland tonight with Derry set to be one of the best places across Britain and Ireland to catch a glimpse of this extraordinary event.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow onto the surface of the planet.

Western parts of the UK and Ireland will be at the edges of the eclipse path, allowing residents to see the sun become slightly covered.

UK Weather Updates, a page run by an amateur weather enthusiast from Wakefield, has also shared some of the other spots best placed to see the eclipse.

When will the solar eclipse be visible across Northern Ireland tonight?

The solar eclipse is set to be visible across Northern Ireland from around 7.54pm with places like Scotland, Wales and England set for a similar start time.

The best cities across the UK and Ireland to see the solar eclipse tonight

Derry was named one of the best cities in the UK and Ireland to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse with an obscuration rate of 21%.

This makes it the third-best place listed with the town of Belmullet seeing the most coverage at 44%.

This is to be followed by Galway in the Republic of Ireland with a rate of 35%.

Glasgow will have an obscuration rate of 11.2% while Edinburgh and Aberdeen will enjoy rates of 6.2% and 4.3% respectively.

Those planning on watching the partial eclipse should do so safely and use appropriate eye protection.

Professor Don Pollacco, an astronomer from Warwick University, says: "With no protection, you will at best damage your eyes, or you could blind yourself."

It is recommended that viewers use eclipse glasses which reduce the brightness of the sun to safe levels.