The University of Birmingham's venue, The Exchange, is hosting a free drop-in event called the 'Helios Listening Party' to celebrate the solar eclipse on the evening it occurs. The event is open to all and runs from 6pm to 8pm, allowing visitors to experience a large-scale illuminated sculpture of the Sun.
Deepest eclipse since 1999
The eclipse is a deep partial solar eclipse, with 90% to 96% of the Sun covered by the Moon, making it the UK's deepest since 1999. It begins shortly after 6pm, peaks between 7:05pm and 7:16pm, and concludes around 8pm to 8:10pm.
During the event, visitors can view the Helios sculpture, which is accompanied by a custom 30-minute surround-sound composition blending real cosmic audio data, radio astronomy recordings, atmospheric soundscapes, and subtle musical scoring.
Engaging with solar science
Cassie Chadderton, Director of Culture, Collections and Public Engagement at the University of Birmingham, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming people to our listening party and experiencing Helios in its full splendour on the evening of the eclipse. Helios, and our Seeing the Sun wraparound exhibition, gives visitors the chance to experience the wonder and science of the Sun, up close – and without needing to depend on clear skies.”
Attendees can drop in at any point during the evening to reflect on the celestial event, view the artwork, and chat with university researchers and staff about solar science.
Safety advice for viewers
For those planning to watch the eclipse directly, the event occurs low on the western horizon, between 10° and 19° elevation, so an elevated vantage point or open coastal view clear of tall buildings or trees is necessary. Even at 95% coverage, the remaining crescent of sunlight is bright enough to cause severe eye damage. Certified ISO 12312-2 solar glasses or indirect projection methods, such as a pinhole viewer or strainer shadow, must be used at all times.
