A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the earth and the sun
A partial solar eclipse is set to be visible across the South West and Channel Islands on Wednesday evening.
The entire event is set to last about one hour and 50 minutes, starting at about 18:20 BST and finishing by 20:10.
But what is a solar eclipse and just what is expected to happen?
The cosmic event requires the sun, the moon and the earth to be in a perfect alignment.
When this happens, the moon casts two types of shadows.
The team at the National Space Centre said the main event of this year's total solar eclipse will be visible in a giant arc moving across from northern Russia to Greenland, Iceland, Spain and northern Portugal.
They said although the "arc of totality – the path the eclipse shadow takes – misses us here in the UK, we will still get to see over 90% of the sun covered by the moon".
The next full solar eclipse in the UK is due to take place in 64 years, on 23 September 2090.
Dr Jean Dean said nature will begin to respond as the eclipse progresses
Guernsey-based Dr Jean Dean, fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, said nature would alter its behaviour as the eclipse progresses.
She said: "First contact is when the edge of the moon touches the edge of the sun and after first contact, you will very quickly see the moon start to bite the sun.
"A little while after this, you should start to notice a slight change in temperature and the sky starting to darken.
"As the maximum approaches, nature will begin to respond. Birds will fall silent and nyctinastic plants (plants that open their leaves during the day and close them at night) such as clovers, dandelions and daises will close.
"Nature will then return to normal, the sky will lighten and the temperature will rise slightly."