Total solar eclipse

[Frank23]

Since the 11th century what has been the longest interval in years between total solar eclipses seen visible from London?

[JudgeJ]

It seems that there were no total eclipses visible from any part of the British Isles between 1724 and 1927 (203 years). However there is evidence (or lack of it) to suggest that there were none between 885 and 1133 (248 years). Records going back this far, of course, are less reliable.

Total eclipses occur more frequently than this but may not be visible as total eclipses from Britain. Even those that are not visible from all of the country as the “area of totality” is quite small. The total eclipse of 1999 was visible from only the far south west of England.

Another type of eclipse – an annular eclipse – occurs more frequently. These are similar to total eclipses but occur when the moon is too far away from the earth to completely obscure the sun.. Their name – annular – should not be confused with annual (i.e. yearly). Annular means ring-like and is used to describe these eclipses because a small part of the sun is still visible as a ring around the moon.

[Frank23]

Thank you Judge. Much appreciated.