Hundreds of people converged on a hillside at Therfield Heath in Royston to witness a partial solar eclipse. The event drew considerable attention, with many equipped with specialized viewing glasses to safely observe the phenomenon.
Experts had previously advised against looking directly at the sun during the eclipse, cautioning that even brief exposure could lead to permanent eye damage. Demand for eclipse-safety glasses surged, with retailers reporting sell-outs. Royal Museums Greenwich noted an "unprecedented volume" of demand for the specialized eyewear.
George Turrell, 20, and his partner Ebrielle Strickland, also 20, described the eclipse as "rather interesting." They recounted a "panic" to secure safety glasses in time for their first eclipse viewing. The Letchworth and District Astronomical Society was on hand, distributing safety glasses to the crowds gathered on the heath.
