11-Year-Old Astronomy Fan Shares Eclipse Safety Tips

When most kids were playing with toys at age two, Efan Dafydd was falling in love with the cosmos thanks to a Welsh book about space. Now 11, he's sharing crucial safety advice for Wednesday's partial solar eclipse, the most significant one visible in the UK until 2090.

Efan warned eclipse watchers not to dig out those special glasses from the 1999 total eclipse. "They are not suitable because they could be scratched or damaged, which could make you lose your vision," he explained.

The young astronomer reminded people that regular sunglasses won't protect eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Special solar glasses are essential, and anyone taking photos or using telescopes needs proper solar filters to prevent UV light from destroying phone cameras and lenses.

More than 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon for most of the UK starting around 6:10 PM on Wednesday. Efan plans to watch from a gliding club runway in Denbigh, Wales, where he expects it might get "really cold" during the event.

As a member of the Vale Stargazing Club, Efan has witnessed plenty of celestial wonders. The "coolest" thing he's seen was Jupiter because it appeared so clear, though Neptune remains his favorite planet thanks to its Great Dark Spot, a storm system roughly the size of Earth.

Last October, Efan's dedication paid off when he met his hero, retired British astronaut Tim Peake, after waiting outside the backstage door at a book tour event. Peake shared practical advice for achieving Efan's dream of becoming an astronaut, including earning an engineering degree, staying fit and healthy, and doing well in school.

Peake also suggested learning Russian to prepare for potential training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Efan took the advice to heart and is currently on a nearly 300-day Duolingo streak, learning greetings, family words, and animal names in Russian.

Why This Inspires

Efan's story shows how childhood passion can lead to real expertise worth sharing. At just 11, he's already helping his community experience a rare astronomical event safely while actively building skills for his future career in space exploration.

Wednesday's eclipse represents both a spectacular natural phenomenon and a reminder that young people can be trusted guides when they pursue knowledge with genuine enthusiasm.