Solar eclipse 2026 - Traffic in Cliddesden ahead of event

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Cars are at a standstill on a road in Cliddesden as people flock to a solar eclipse viewing event.

Basingstoke Astronomical Society is inviting the public to the event on Cliddesden Primary School’s playing field on Wednesday evening, with the entrance to the school blocked.

The event, which is weather dependent, has caused an 'absolute standstill' in the area, with some drivers abandoning their vehicles in the road.

Reporter Matt Rooks-Taylor, who is on his way to the event, got caught in the traffic.

People are looking to catch a glimpse of a solar eclipse.

The eclipse is set to peak at about 7.13pm in Basingstoke.

Society members are offering solar-filtered telescopes and certified eclipse glasses for safe viewing as the Moon crosses the Sun.

The event is for everyone, including families and first-timers, with society volunteers on hand to talk about the eclipse and answer questions about the Sun.

People hoping to watch the eclipse are asked to use certified solar eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer marked with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, putting them on before looking towards the Sun and turning away before taking them off.

Ordinary sunglasses must not be used, whatever the shade, as they do not provide enough protection from harmful solar radiation and looking directly at the Sun can cause permanent eye damage.

People without suitable eyewear can instead watch indirectly using a pinhole projector, or by looking at the Sun’s projected image through the holes of a colander onto a light surface.

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