Kildare-based university to host event to coincide with solar eclipse
The next solar eclipse which will obscure more than 90 per cent of the Sun will not be visible from Ireland until 2090
There is something almost supernatural about safely observing (emphasis on ‘safely’) a solar eclipse.
Recognising the beauty of this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, one university located in North Kildare has announced that it will host a viewing public event for an upcoming solar eclipse.
A spokesperson for Maynooth University (MU) has said that its Department of Physics will host its ‘Solar Eclipse Evening’ next month, with the event offering a view of the deepest solar eclipse visible from Ireland in decades.
According to the spokesperson, the upcoming eclipse will obscure between 94 and 97 per cent of our Sun.
This is notable as the next solar eclipse which will obscure more than 90 per cent of the Sun will not be visible from Ireland until 2090, thus making this a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
The spokesperson continued: “This free public event combines safe eclipse viewing with a series of accessible talks and family-friendly demonstrations exploring the science of the Sun and its influence on our world.
“The eclipse provides a rare opportunity to engage the public with topics including astronomy, climate science, renewable energy, quantum physics and space research.”
GUEST SPEAKERS
In addition, they revealed that throughout the evening, visitors will be able to view the eclipse safely using specialist solar viewing equipment and listen to educational talks from leading researchers.
These talks include:
- ‘The Story of the Sun’ by Dr Emma Whelan
- ‘The Quantum Sun’ by Dr Joshuah Heath
- ‘(Electric) Power from the Sun: The Good, the Bad, and the Glinty!’ by Dr Marcin Gradziel
- ‘The Star of the Show: How the Sun Drives Our Climate’ by Dr Michelle McCrystall
- ‘Einstein and the Eclipse’ by Prof Peter Coles
- ‘Will Our Sun Go Supernova?’ by Dr Patrick Kavanagh
The ‘Solar Eclipse Evening’ will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, inside MU’s North Campus (Outdoor Viewing Area and Iontas Building) and will run from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.
Anyone seeking further information about the ‘Solar Eclipse Evening’ can visit the Contact Us section of MU’s official website.