places along that path totality. in places along that path people will be able to view the sun's corona, the outer atmosphere of the sun which usually is not visible or distinctive because of the sun's brightness. it will be in lots of places across the root come along that route talking to correspondents to bring you all of the atmosphere from those watch parties. you are watching the world today as be built up to the total solar eclipse. it will start up in the cook islands in the pacific and then head across to mexico across 13 us states and make its way up into canada. this is the route where people will be plunged into darkness as the moon passes between the sun and earth. totally covering up the face of the sun. in other areas around this, people will see a

partial eclipse, but it is this total solar eclipse that will be our focusing on. we will take you, if you are not in one of those locations and watching the eclipse safely through special glasses, we have got you absolutely covered because we will be talking to our correspondence along that route known as the path of totality. that is the route on the map on your screens. join me here in the studio... a senior astronomy manager at the royal observatory and of course we want to cure about the science, what this means about exploration, the study of the sun, the study of the celeste euro spectacle b are about to see. first, you must be excited about this. it first, you must be excited about this. , ., , , ., this. it is ever opportunity to see the mechanics _ this. it is ever opportunity to see the mechanics of— this. it is ever opportunity to see the mechanics of the _ this. it is ever opportunity to see the mechanics of the solar- this. it is ever opportunity to see l the mechanics of the solar system this. it is ever opportunity to see - the mechanics of the solar system at work right in front of you. it is

special. work right in front of you. it is secial. ~ ., ., ~ , work right in front of you. it is secial. ~ . . ~ , , special. what are key things scientists are _ special. what are key things scientists are looking - special. what are key things scientists are looking to - special. what are key things - scientists are looking to discover from this event? we scientists are looking to discover from this event?— from this event? we have study ecu-ses from this event? we have study eclipses for _ from this event? we have study eclipses for a — from this event? we have study eclipses for a long _ from this event? we have study eclipses for a long period - from this event? we have study eclipses for a long period of - from this event? we have studyl eclipses for a long period of time in contributed to lots of different things. nowadays we are interested in the outer atmosphere of the sun. with our ability to live string themes from lots of peaceful to contribute, we are basically able to in real time have lots of high—resolution pictures which is interesting. but as i say, we have a long history do lots of different science with eclipses.— long history do lots of different science with eclipses. what is the real world implication _ science with eclipses. what is the real world implication of - science with eclipses. what is the real world implication of all - real world implication of all of that study?— real world implication of all of that stud ? ., , ., , that study? lots of it is confirming thin . s. that study? lots of it is confirming things. also. _ that study? lots of it is confirming things- also. you _ that study? lots of it is confirming things. also, you essentially - that study? lots of it is confirming things. also, you essentially have | that study? lots of it is confirming l things. also, you essentially have a giant sun shield so when the immune obscures the sun, you to see that outer atmosphere of the sun that is not possible. this outer atmosphere of the sun that is not possible-— outer atmosphere of the sun that is not possible._ yes. | not possible. this is corona? yes. but even before _ not possible. this is corona? yes. but even before that _ not possible. this is corona? yes. but even before that we - not possible. this is corona? yes. but even before that we tested i but even before that we tested things like the general theory of relativity back in 1919 by looking

at the star light from stars the sun of the wave the starlight was deflected by the sun itself. we have been reading _ deflected by the sun itself. we have been reading about _ deflected by the sun itself. we have been reading about how— deflected by the sun itself. we have been reading about how scientists l been reading about how scientists will be studying responses on earth both from people and animals and how they behave. both from people and animals and how the behave. ~ , , both from people and animals and how they behave-— they behave. absolutely. it will get dark and you _ they behave. absolutely. it will get dark and you can _ they behave. absolutely. it will get dark and you can understand - they behave. absolutely. it will get dark and you can understand that l they behave. absolutely. it will get| dark and you can understand that in your mind, but what effect it has on nature and what effect it has on the atmosphere itself, the outer atmosphere itself, the outer atmosphere is a area of study certainly we may have the darkness cast, what does it actually do leading up to it during and after as well. ., , . , leading up to it during and after as well. ., , ., , ., ., well. how unusual is it to get a ath of well. how unusual is it to get a path of totality _ well. how unusual is it to get a path of totality that _ well. how unusual is it to get a path of totality that is - well. how unusual is it to get a path of totality that is crossing | path of totality that is crossing over such heavily populated areas? that is quite hard to say. the us has been quite lucky to have it had a good one to the couple of years ago. eclipses happen a lot, by their very nature,... well if you are in a particular place, it is pretty hard

to find one at a convenient time. here in the uk, what can people see? unfortunately here, we are split into. in the west and north, you are going to see a partial solar eclipse. in the south and east, it does no good. we won't see anything at all. at the further north and west you can get, the more the sun will be obscured by the path of the moon. , ., , y will be obscured by the path of the moon. ,., _ , moon. obviously people can watch it here on bbc — moon. obviously people can watch it here on bbc news _ moon. obviously people can watch it here on bbc news with _ moon. obviously people can watch it here on bbc news with us _ moon. obviously people can watch it here on bbc news with us and - moon. obviously people can watch it here on bbc news with us and as - here on bbc news with us and as i have been explained to our viewers, we have correspondence right along the route, this path of totality. they will be able to tell us what is happening there and bring us that experience from there. edward, have you witnessed eclipses in person? i have, but not very many. because they are so rare, you have to chase them around the world. aha, they are so rare, you have to chase them around the world. as bit they are so rare, you have to chase them around the world.— them around the world. a bit like storm chasers, _ them around the world. a bit like storm chasers, you _ them around the world. a bit like storm chasers, you have - them around the world. a bit like storm chasers, you have to - storm chasers, you have to face those moments?— storm chasers, you have to face those moments? ~ , , ~ those moments? absolutely. and some --eole are those moments? absolutely. and some people are really _ those moments? absolutely. and some people are really into _ those moments? absolutely. and some people are really into it _ those moments? absolutely. and some people are really into it and _ those moments? absolutely. and some people are really into it and that - people are really into it and that is where they plan their holidays.

so i have seen a few and probably the one most people in the uk are familiar one was in 1919, 199099, but we will not get one it in the uk until 2090. but we will not get one it in the uk until2090. so but we will not get one it in the uk until 2090. so if you want to see one, you will have to travel. == one, you will have to travel. -- 1999. one, you will have to travel. -- 1999- thank — one, you will have to travel. -- 1999. thank you _ one, you will have to travel. —— 1999. thank you very much i know you will stay with me and talk to us about all of this as be go through the next hour and a half or so. let me show you what pictures we can bring you right now looking at the screens we have pictures of people gathering for these amazing watch parties. it really is a huge event. i think we can bring you those pictures, let's see if we can pull those up. not at the moment. but i'm glad i have edward with me because he is here to talk to us and keep the conversation going before he crossed to our correspondence. just put this into context for us, in

terms of how unusual or not an event this is. i terms of how unusual or not an event this is. ~' .. terms of how unusual or not an event this is. ~ ., ,., . this is. i think one important thing is it is unusual _ this is. i think one important thing is it is unusual because _ this is. i think one important thing is it is unusual because so - this is. i think one important thing is it is unusual because so many . is it is unusual because so many people will see it. it's a great opportunity for public engagement with science communication. because it is cutting across north america, the path, loads people are able to get to it. most of the time the eclipse path goes across the sea because the earth is covered in ocean. so i think that is one important thing. also there are certainly opportunities for citizen science complex organisations have decided to try and really make use of people, getting them to take pictures, getting them to download apps and report the sun. once you have thousands of thousands of people participating, you can get a sense, a detailed record of exactly what is going on throughout the eclipse. it’s what is going on throughout the eclise. v . , . eclipse. it's really getting people involved, ordinary _ eclipse. it's really getting people involved, ordinary people - eclipse. it's really getting people l involved, ordinary people involved. absolutely. and you'd mentioned

before, notjust the astronomy park, but the effect it has on nature as well. that is part of this initiative.— well. that is part of this initiative. . , . , , initiative. we have seen examples where the dreadful— initiative. we have seen examples where the dreadful tsunami - initiative. we have seen examples where the dreadful tsunami in - initiative. we have seen examplesl where the dreadful tsunami in bali, how animals reacted to that before it happens, so we know that animals will pick up on things before humans do. �* , ,.. , will pick up on things before humans do. �* , , , , . do. absolutely. there is temperature chan . es, do. absolutely. there is temperature changes. just — do. absolutely. there is temperature changes. just the _ do. absolutely. there is temperature changes, just the light _ do. absolutely. there is temperature changes, just the light levels. - do. absolutely. there is temperature changes, just the light levels. 50 - changes, just the light levels. so they will react, the question is, can we build a framework of how exactly they will react. and exactly they will react. and understand _ exactly they will react. and understand exactly - exactly they will react. and understand exactly what i exactly they will react. and understand exactly what is driving that behaviour. let's talk more about the weather in terms of what sort of impact that will have on experiencing the eclipse. if there is a bit of cloud cover it, even quite a lot, will that have a dramatic impact?— quite a lot, will that have a dramatic impact? quite a lot, will that have a dramatic im act? . , , dramatic impact? certainly in terms of us bein: dramatic impact? certainly in terms of us being able _ dramatic impact? certainly in terms of us being able to _ dramatic impact? certainly in terms of us being able to see _ dramatic impact? certainly in terms of us being able to see things, - dramatic impact? certainly in terms of us being able to see things, of i of us being able to see things, of course the cop yet that you will never look at the sun directly, but cloud cover can really spoil things

and the extra caveat, even if there is cloud cover, don't look towards the sun. sometimes in the memory becomes exaggerated were people think back to eclipses they've seen and, it went as dark as midnight and i could see everything and all the birds stopped singing, does not always as dramatic. it birds stopped singing, does not always as dramatic.— birds stopped singing, does not always as dramatic. it takes on a auali , always as dramatic. it takes on a quality. yes- _ always as dramatic. it takes on a quality. yes- a — always as dramatic. it takes on a quality, yes. a couple _ always as dramatic. it takes on a quality, yes. a couple of- always as dramatic. it takes on a quality, yes. a couple of years . always as dramatic. it takes on a l quality, yes. a couple of years ago we had a partial— quality, yes. a couple of years ago we had a partial solar— quality, yes. a couple of years ago we had a partial solar clips - quality, yes. a couple of years ago we had a partial solar clips in i quality, yes. a couple of years ago we had a partial solar clips in the l we had a partial solar clips in the uk and it was completely clouded over. i think no one had a good view of it. it went a bit dark, but it does not quite as switch of all the lights dark as you may think. it is not the plunging of daytime into darkness, that true dramatic moment. absolutely. the moment of totality is a moment. it lasts for maybe maximum four minutes. for this one at least. although the eclipse process will take quite a while, that moment where it goes as dark as it can isjust

that moment where it goes as dark as it can is just a short period of time. it can is “ust a short period of time. �* , ., . , ,, time. but very memorable, i think. sta with time. but very memorable, i think. stay with me. _ time. but very memorable, i think. stay with me, edward. _ time. but very memorable, i think. stay with me, edward. we - time. but very memorable, i think. stay with me, edward. we can i time. but very memorable, i think. | stay with me, edward. we can now, time. but very memorable, i think. i stay with me, edward. we can now, as promised, talk to our correspondence you are going to be experiencing for the most part, we hope, weather permitting, that totality. joining me are will grant willgrant in will grant in mexico city. i know you will not get the total of clips there, the partial clips i believe in mexico city, but a total of clips elsewhere in mexico. nomia iqbaljoins us from texas. helena humphrey, our world news america presenter is in cleveland ohio. nada tawfik is in niagara falls. as we were discussing earlier but the one time niagara falls will be put into second place by the spectacle in the sky. let's go to will first of all in mexico city. just confirm for me that that is correct. you will not get the total eclipse in mexico city, but you will elsewhere in the country. i ieei

elsewhere in the country. i feel like i'm missing _ elsewhere in the country. i feel like i'm missing out _ elsewhere in the country. i feel like i'm missing out slightly i like i'm missing out slightly compared to all of the other people and the boxes next to us who are getting the full experience. nevertheless, it is still going to be pretty impassive in mexico city. somewhere between 75—80% so not bad. for a city the size, for the entire population to be able to go onto the rooftops or in the streets to be able to see that is quite something. it is a great opportunity for the schools and school system to make a real kind of practical astronomy lesson out of it. in fact, some cells have even told the families that if they had a rather and would like to watch as a family, that kids can stay home for the day to enjoy the experience altogether. there's also something fairly quite romantic about it being mexico the first country this sweeping movement north through north america because this is a country who is steeped in the stars. this is a country whose ancient peoples were incredible astronomers, accomplished

mathematicians whose whole belief systems and road religious practices were all really built around an understanding of the stars. and indeed, that even protect, in the case of the ancient mayan and aztec, eclipses themselves. so there is a real beautiful connection to the past year. i real beautiful connection to the ast ear. .. real beautiful connection to the ast ear. ., . . past year. i love that idea, the threat of people _ past year. i love that idea, the threat of people standing i past year. i love that idea, the threat of people standing in i past year. i love that idea, the i threat of people standing in wonder, looking at the skies. —— that for read to. let's go to the fact that we have people poised to steering toward the sky in mexico. one of the first places that will experience that totality, that complete darkness as the moon passes between the sun and earth. before it makes its way in that great sweep through the us, through 13 states and on up towards canada. we are going to

go to texas. i am in texas. so we have a partial— go to texas. i am in texas. so we have a partial clips. _ go to texas. i am in texas. so we have a partial clips. which - go to texas. i am in texas. so we have a partial clips. which is i go to texas. i am in texas. so we have a partial clips. which is why | have a partial clips. which is why i have _ have a partial clips. which is why i have my— have a partial clips. which is why i have my very special total of clips sunglasses on. we are being warned over the _ sunglasses on. we are being warned over the speaker form, correctly so, to put _ over the speaker form, correctly so, to put your — over the speaker form, correctly so, to put your sunglasses on if you want _ to put your sunglasses on if you want to — to put your sunglasses on if you want to stare at the sun. so we have partial— want to stare at the sun. so we have partial clips, — want to stare at the sun. so we have partial clips, so it looks like the moon_ partial clips, so it looks like the moon it — partial clips, so it looks like the moon it has taken a little nibble of the sun _ moon it has taken a little nibble of the sun. obviously you must wear these _ the sun. obviously you must wear these as— the sun. obviously you must wear these as the moon is approaching, you can _ these as the moon is approaching, you can take them off once we go into complete darkness of course. that is _ into complete darkness of course. that is due — into complete darkness of course. that is due to happen in about one hours— that is due to happen in about one hour's time — that is due to happen in about one hour's time. so that is 140 local time _ hour's time. so that is 140 local time we — hour's time. so that is 140 local time. we are expected to be plunged into darkness for a little over four minutes _ into darkness for a little over four minutes which is quite a long time. i'm minutes which is quite a long time. i'm just _ minutes which is quite a long time. i'mjust reminded of minutes which is quite a long time. i'm just reminded of someone that i spoke _ i'm just reminded of someone that i spoke to— i'm just reminded of someone that i spoke to here in the park, people who have — spoke to here in the park, people who have kept your overnight and come _ who have kept your overnight and come here — who have kept your overnight and come here for the day ready for the

celestial— come here for the day ready for the celestial experience. he is an astrophysicist named paul who said to m3, _ astrophysicist named paul who said to me. try— astrophysicist named paul who said to me, try not to be tempted to take photos— to me, try not to be tempted to take photos and _ to me, try not to be tempted to take photos and selfies. there are people doing _ photos and selfies. there are people doing that, _ photos and selfies. there are people doing that, that filters on their phones — doing that, that filters on their phones to— doing that, that filters on their phones to do so, but he said, the key thing — phones to do so, but he said, the key thing is — phones to do so, but he said, the key thing is he already experienced a solar— key thing is he already experienced a solar eclipse, just enjoy the moment— a solar eclipse, just enjoy the moment because it is pretty awe—inspiring. moment because it is pretty awe-inspiring.— moment because it is pretty awe-inspiring. absolutely. the safety messages _ awe-inspiring. absolutely. the safety messages are _ awe-inspiring. absolutely. the safety messages are very i awe-inspiring. absolutely. the i safety messages are very important. without the special filters or glasses, clearly people could risk damage to their eyes. we are showing our viewers at the moment, as you've described it, it looks like the moon has taken a nibble out of the sun. that will become more and more pronounced of course until the sun like just a crescent. pronounced of course until the sun likejust a crescent. and pronounced of course until the sun like just a crescent. and that these pictures have been taken from san diego in california. so quite a sight it is awe—inspiring, i think. let's

now crossed to our world news america presenter in cleveland, ohio. whereas we were discussing earlier, helena, there are bit watch parties going on as indeed there are in many locations around america. give us a sense of the atmosphere there. it give us a sense of the atmosphere there. , . . . ., give us a sense of the atmosphere there. , . . . . ., there. it is electric and i have to sa i'm there. it is electric and i have to say i'm feeling _ there. it is electric and i have to say i'm feeling quite _ there. it is electric and i have to say i'm feeling quite excited i there. it is electric and i have to | say i'm feeling quite excited just listening to our presenter they are talking about the moon taking a nibble out of the sun knowing that eclipse will be on the way here in ohio soon. i do not want to be excused of tempting fate but take a look at that scene behind me. beautiful bright blue skies here in ohio, we came in the early hours of the morning trying to avoid those trafficjams, there were some cloud cover, but now we can see that it is clearing up. will was talking about that romanticism of the moment there in mexico and certainly ohio is also

steeped in a clips history. it has not seen a total of clips since 1806, just three years into its statehood. there is a wonderful story about that time about a tribal leader from the indigenous story about that time about a tribal leaderfrom the indigenous people from the shawnee tribe and he was trying to organise native tribes against the settlers that were moving over from the east and he was trying to show his power and was sent a challenge by the government of india and at the time say, if you and your brother and other tribal leaders are so important, why do you not stop the sun in the sky, why don't you because the moon to alter its course and they replied, saying, we will. in 50 days' time. and in fact what came to pass was on the 16th ofjune,1806, fact what came to pass was on the 16th ofjune, 1806, there was a total of clips. that essentially solidified his leadership among that tribe as part of that resistance against the settlers. i think it is against the settlers. i think it is a wonderful example of how it is not just about the solar system and science, it is about the stories

that bind us and also about the past and the future and how this will connect us in here in ohio we will not be seeing another total of clips for another 400 years.— not be seeing another total of clips for another 400 years. thank you. as we sta on for another 400 years. thank you. as we stay on these _ for another 400 years. thank you. as we stay on these amazing _ for another 400 years. thank you. as we stay on these amazing pictures i we stay on these amazing pictures taken from oklahoma, live pictures coming into us you can see there, just the hint of that shadow appearing on the surface of the sun. a little bit being even out of the sun. and of course the moon will move and we will see the sun being eaten into until we just have a crescent before approaching the complete totality. let's bring in our correspondent at niagara falls. iwasjust looking bring in our correspondent at niagara falls. i was just looking at one of our screens here in the studio, i could see you a second ago

trying on your glasses, bring us up—to—date with the situation there. we are a bit more adverse with the weather— we are a bit more adverse with the weather here than some of my other colleagues _ weather here than some of my other colleagues across the country. we have been— colleagues across the country. we have been looking up at the sky to see if— have been looking up at the sky to see if you — have been looking up at the sky to see if you can see the sun through the cloud, — see if you can see the sun through the cloud, so far we do not have much _ the cloud, so far we do not have much of— the cloud, so far we do not have much of a — the cloud, so far we do not have much of a break in that, but we will see how— much of a break in that, but we will see how it— much of a break in that, but we will see how it progresses over the next hour or— see how it progresses over the next hour or so — see how it progresses over the next hour or so. nevertheless, just take in the _ hour or so. nevertheless, just take in the scene — hour or so. nevertheless, just take in the scene behind me. i hour or so. nevertheless, just take in the scene behind me. lam hour or so. nevertheless, just take in the scene behind me. i am that terrapin— in the scene behind me. i am that terrapin point on the us side of niagara — terrapin point on the us side of niagara falls, right here by the horseshoe of the falls. so a spectacular setting as tourists came here to _ spectacular setting as tourists came here to cross off two items from their— here to cross off two items from their bucket list. to see niagara falls, _ their bucket list. to see niagara falls, many for the first time, as well_ falls, many for the first time, as well as— falls, many for the first time, as well as experiencing the celestial event _ well as experiencing the celestial event. along with one of nature's wonders — event. along with one of nature's wonders. if you come across to where i am wonders. if you come across to where i am to— wonders. if you come across to where i am to the _ wonders. if you come across to where i am to the left, you will see the

crowds have been gathering, coming in since _ crowds have been gathering, coming in since early in the morning. you can see _ in since early in the morning. you can see them here on the website and also across— can see them here on the website and also across on the canadian side. very— also across on the canadian side. very much— also across on the canadian side. very much a _ also across on the canadian side. very much a like atmosphere at state park _ very much a like atmosphere at state park. -- — very much a like atmosphere at state park. —— picnic. people not getting down— park. —— picnic. people not getting down about— park. —— picnic. people not getting down about the weather, fingers crossed — down about the weather, fingers crossed remaining optimistic telling us no _ crossed remaining optimistic telling us no matter what happens, they will live in _ us no matter what happens, they will live in this _ us no matter what happens, they will live in this moment and enjoy it. we have some _ live in this moment and enjoy it. we have some concerts going on, people 'ust have some concerts going on, people just with _ have some concerts going on, people just with their families who have taken _ just with their families who have taken off, — just with their families who have taken off, have travelled from as far as _ taken off, have travelled from as far as overseas, surrounding states here to _ far as overseas, surrounding states here to enjoy the moment. for far as overseas, surrounding states here to enjoy the moment.- here to en'oy the moment. for the moment, here to enjoy the moment. for the moment. we _ here to enjoy the moment. for the moment, we will— here to enjoy the moment. for the moment, we will be _ here to enjoy the moment. for the moment, we will be back - here to enjoy the moment. for the moment, we will be back in - here to enjoy the moment. for the moment, we will be back in a i here to enjoy the moment. for the moment, we will be back in a little while, thank you very much and thank you to all of our correspondence in those locations. in mexico and across the us. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

this is the world today on bbc news. we are building up to the total of eclipse, the total solar eclipse that we have been telling you about today. people in the us in particular will be getting an amazing view in a number of states, 13 in total. the cook islands and the pacific will be the first place to experience it that totality. the point where it's plunged from teatime into darkness. then moving across into mexico, across those 13 seats in the us and then up towards canada. so lots of amazing images will stop this image coming to us from mexico right now. so we now have that moment where the sun appears as a crescent. also pictures from arkansas as well. so we will

keep an eye on these awe—inspiring images coming into us. with me that a perfect person to talk, a senior manager at the royal observatory, edward, thank you for staying with me. so explain for our viewers if you would about these different phases of the eclipse are perching totality. phases of the eclipse are perching totali . �* , , ., totality. because the moon is moving into the way — totality. because the moon is moving into the way of _ totality. because the moon is moving into the way of the _ totality. because the moon is moving into the way of the sun _ totality. because the moon is moving into the way of the sun we _ totality. because the moon is moving into the way of the sun we have i totality. because the moon is moving into the way of the sun we have the l into the way of the sun we have the first point of contact where we will say the moon's surface appears to touch the sons of surface. then it moves across, if you are in the right position, it will move in such a way that it will completely cover up a way that it will completely cover up the sun so you get that moment of totality. but if you are not in quite the right position, then the moon will skim past state or graze the sun. once you have achieved totality, if you are in the right position, of course the moon then has to leave, if you would like, move out of the way. so you have a

last point of contact as well where the moon has just last point of contact as well where the moon hasjust moved out last point of contact as well where the moon has just moved out of the way and then it is no longer blocking the sun at all. we heard from them _ blocking the sun at all. we heard from them at _ blocking the sun at all. we heard from them at will _ blocking the sun at all. we heard from them at will in _ blocking the sun at all. we heard from them at will in mexico i blocking the sun at all. we heard from them at will in mexico they| from them at will in mexico they will get around 75—85% totality which will still be a dramatic effect. that was in mexico city, elsewhere in the country, they will get that complete totality. absolutely. so it is a thin path around 100 miles across. i absolutely. so it is a thin path around 100 miles across. i was going to ask how wide _ around 100 miles across. i was going to ask how wide the _ around 100 miles across. i was going to ask how wide the path _ around 100 miles across. i was going to ask how wide the path is - to ask how wide the path is typically. it to ask how wide the path is typically-— to ask how wide the path is icall. . ,., , , typically. it varies often because ou were typically. it varies often because you were essentially _ typically. it varies often because you were essentially projecting i typically. it varies often because | you were essentially projecting a sourdough on the sphere of the earth sourdough on the sphere of the earth so it does change roughly about 100 miles across. —— projecting a shadow. that is where you can see totality. once you move away from that you see less and less, a more partial eclipse. what that means is actually a quite a wide path where you can certainly see something and that means even for us here in the uk, even though we will not get totality, it is still grazing the

point... well and ok partial eclipse, just about graces us as the sons going down. oi eclipse, just about graces us as the sons going down.— sons going down. of course if you are not in — sons going down. of course if you are not in a _ sons going down. of course if you are not in a prime _ sons going down. of course if you are not in a prime location - sons going down. of course if you are not in a prime location to i sons going down. of course if you i are not in a prime location to watch this total solar eclipse, you can stay with his here on bbc news because we are bringing you the stunning images of data eclipse as it makes its way from the cook islands through mexico and will work its way up through those 13 united states, we mentioned earlier on its way to canada. exciting it is happening over such densely populated areas.— happening over such densely populated areas. happening over such densely --oulated areas. . . , ,., populated areas. yes, it means some --eole populated areas. yes, it means some eo - le will populated areas. yes, it means some people will have _ populated areas. yes, it means some people will have a _ populated areas. yes, it means some people will have a chance _ populated areas. yes, it means some people will have a chance to - populated areas. yes, it means some people will have a chance to see i populated areas. yes, it means some people will have a chance to see it. i people will have a chance to see it. and of course, moving overland it also means people have been setting up also means people have been setting up camera so it will be well recorded as will as observed in the moment. , , . ~ recorded as will as observed in the moment. , , . ,, , recorded as will as observed in the moment. , .~ , ., moment. just take us through as we continue to — moment. just take us through as we continue to watch _ moment. just take us through as we continue to watch the _ moment. just take us through as we continue to watch the pictures, i moment. just take us through as we i continue to watch the pictures, what scientists will be looking to learn from this the eclipse. so

scientists will be looking to learn from this the eclipse.— scientists will be looking to learn from this the eclipse. so what this ech-se from this the eclipse. so what this ecli se we from this the eclipse. so what this eclipse we will _ from this the eclipse. so what this eclipse we will be _ from this the eclipse. so what this eclipse we will be looking - from this the eclipse. so what this eclipse we will be looking at i from this the eclipse. so what this eclipse we will be looking at the l eclipse we will be looking at the outer atmosphere of the sun, during that route of totality and even leading up to it. there are also efforts to observe what is happening in the ionosphere of the earth itself. .. .. . in the ionosphere of the earth itself. ., .,, , , in the ionosphere of the earth itself. ., .,. , , bein. itself. the ionosphere being? being in the atmosphere _ itself. the ionosphere being? being in the atmosphere of _ itself. the ionosphere being? being in the atmosphere of the _ itself. the ionosphere being? being in the atmosphere of the earth i in the atmosphere of the earth itself and the effect it has on us so in essence nothing to do with astronomy at all. it is to do with astronomy, but a lot of ground—based happening as well and sort of biology science happening as well, people are interested in the effect on wildlife and the natural environment.— on wildlife and the natural environment. . , .. on wildlife and the natural environment. . , ., , environment. edward, you will stay with us, but — environment. edward, you will stay with us, but thank— environment. edward, you will stay with us, but thank you _ environment. edward, you will stay with us, but thank you very - environment. edward, you will stay with us, but thank you very much i with us, but thank you very much for the moment. more amazing pictures coming into us, these taken from oklahoma where you can see the moon is moving now between the sun and

the earth, starting to create that moment of almost totality. it will happen soon there. where the sun appears to us as a crescent. stay with us here on the programme to watch this total solar eclipse. he set hello. monday brought us a bit of mix of weather types. while some of us had some spells of warm spring sunshine, other areas were stuck under the cloud and rain all day. it's been a really wet first week of april and that unsettled theme continues for the next few days. so more blustery spells of rain at times and it's turning a little bit cooler than it has been, too. so we've got low pressure driving our weather at the moment — here it is. it's gradually easing its way eastwards through the rest of the evening, overnight and over the next 24 hours or so, it'll bring us some more wet and windy weather. some thunderstorms initially for the far south of east anglia. they clear northwards and then

the bulk of the rain through tonight will be northern ireland, scotland, perhaps western parts of england and wales. across scotland, in fact, we could see some flooding by dawn because that rain is falling on very saturated ground. it's not going to be a cold night, 6—9 degrees, but it is going to be windy for many of us, particularly down towards the south—west of england, through the english channel, through the north channel as well. more of this rain for tuesday lingering for scotland, parts of northern england in particular as well, followed by sunshine and a few blustery showers from the west. driest for parts of southern england through the day, but gusts of wind 45 miles per hour or so inland, but stronger than that, gales around some of the coastal regions. and we've got really high tides with a full moon at the moment, so we could be seeing some coastal flooding as well. top temperatures 8—12 on tuesday, so cooler than recent days, especially so when you add on the wind chill. so the blue colours, the colder air mass with us for a time through the middle part of the week. but later on wednesday, the next warm front moves in from the atlantic, bringing some warmer air and some rain, too. could be an early frost in the east, i think, on wednesday. but the cloud increases, the rain moves its way in and the winds are going to be

picking up through the day as well. so another unsettled day, more fairly unwelcome rain for some of us — heaviest in the north—west. temperatures — about 10—15 for most of us — are just starting to edge up, certainly, compared to tuesday. and then we've got this lingering front. we're heading into thursday now, i don't think there'll be too much rain on that, but there's likely to be quite a lot of low cloud, mist and murk around some southern hills and coasts, for instance, first thing on thursday. brighter skies from the word go towards the north. and i think through the day the sunshine should tend to break up that cloud. so a bit of a drier, brighter sort of day for many of us and a touch warmer. we're looking at highs in norwich, in london, up to about 19 degrees or so. 20 celsius possible in the south for friday and saturday. then things turn cooler and more unsettled into next week.

welcome to the world today — from the bbc — we're bringing you live coverage of the total solar eclipse over north america. let's take a look at the live pictures. straightaway, at the live pictures. millions of people are straightaway, millions of people are in the midst of experiencing this solar eclipse, approaching that moment of totality when the face of the sun is totally obscured by the moon moving between the sun and the earth. these pictures from oklahoma

and coming up some live pictures from mexico, all that's left visible of the sun at the moment is that slim crescent, so very close to totality there. millions of people waiting for this along the path of totality as it's called, as daylight is plunged into darkness. it will last for four minutes and nine seconds — and totalitly is just minutes away. helena humphrey, our world news america presenter is in cleveland ohio. a big watch party there, you are telling us a little earlier, helena, and a huge sense of anticipation. absolutely. i'vejust and a huge sense of anticipation. absolutely. i've just been and a huge sense of anticipation. absolutely. i'vejust been reliably informed that we are now starting to see the eclipse creep here on ohio

in avon lake. we are