Anyone who’s experienced a solar eclipse knows there something a bit spooky and unnerving about it. The light changes, the temperature can dip and, for a few minutes, the familiar world feels slightly strange.
On 12 August, that eerie sense of wonder will sweep across the UK as the Moon passes in front of the Sun, covering more than 90% of it in many parts of the country.
And this is no ordinary partial eclipse. “This is the best solar eclipse the UK has seen since 1999, and we won’t see another eclipse of this magnitude until 2081,” says Jake Foster, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
For skywatchers, families and anyone who simply loves an excuse to step outside and look up, it promises to be one of the standout moments of the summer.
Why this eclipse is such a big deal
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring part of the Sun from view. What makes this one feel so special is its scale. “Over the past few years, the UK has seen several partial eclipses of under 50% coverage, making the Sun look like it has a moderate chunk taken out of it,” says Jake. “This year’s eclipse will see over 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon, creating the appearance of a dramatic crescent-shaped Sun.”
And this is what sets this eclipse apart from the more modest events many of us have seen previously. “The UK hasn’t seen an eclipse this full in 27 years, making this the best UK solar eclipse of the 21st century so far,” he says.
When to look up
The eclipse will be visible across the UK in the early evening on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
“Local timings will differ slightly, but broadly speaking the eclipse will begin at around 6pm and end at 8pm,” says Jake. “The maximum coverage will occur at around 7pm, so that is the best time to look.”
If you are planning your evening around it, it is worth being in position well before 7pm so you can watch the light begin to change as the eclipse builds.
Where to find the best view in the UK
The good news is that the eclipse will be visible across the whole of the country. “Most parts of the UK will see between 90% and 95% of the Sun covered by the Moon,” says Jake.
“The south west will have the best view, though all regions will have an impressive sight to enjoy,” Jake explains.
Where you watch from matters, too. “Since the eclipse will be occurring in the evening and the Sun is lower in the sky, it is important to find a fairly unobstructed view of the western horizon, away from tall buildings and trees,” says Jake. “Finding an elevated viewpoint like a hill will help with this for those living in the city.”
What the eclipse will actually look and feel like
“Those watching the event with solar eclipse glasses will see the Sun reduced to a thin sliver of light, resembling a crescent Moon on fire,” says Jake.
And it is not just the sight of it that can feel unusual. “During the maximum of the eclipse, people may notice a slight drop in light levels and temperature as the Sun’s light and heat are partially blocked from reaching us,” he says. “Wind speeds may also drop slightly too during this time. The effect can be eerie but fascinating.”
Why solar eclipses still feel so magical
Part of the appeal is their rarity. But there is also something deeper in the experience: the sense of seeing the solar system at work above our heads.
“A solar eclipse is the alignment of three major astronomical bodies – the Sun, the Moon and the Earth,” says Jake. “These events allow us to witness the clockwork of our solar system in action, in the same unaltered way that our ancestors have witnessed them for thousands of years.
“The Sun is an enormous nuclear furnace, so vast that it would be capable of holding 1.3 million Earths inside of it. To see our local star blocked out by our relatively small Moon is a sight to behold, one that has captivated humanity for millennia,” he adds.
How to watch the eclipse safely
However exciting it is, never look directly at the Sun without proper protection.
“To observe the eclipse directly, it is imperative that you are wearing proper eye protection,” says Jake. “Solar eclipse glasses that are properly ISO and CE certified block out 99.9999% of the Sun’s light, making it safe to view.”
If you do not have eclipse glasses, there are other ways to enjoy it. “The eclipse can also be viewed indirectly using a pinhole projector,” Jake says. “This can be as simple as poking a small hole in a piece of paper and letting the Sun’s light pass through it onto another piece of paper.”
Ordinary sunglasses are not safe, and neither are cameras, telescopes or binoculars unless they have the correct solar filters fitted.
What if it’s cloudy?
As ever with British skywatching, the weather may have the final say.
“The eclipse should still be visible through thin, wispy clouds,” says Jake. “However, thick clouds will obscure the event from view.”
If the forecast is not on your side, there is still a fallback. “There are various livestreams of the event to bring you a view of the eclipse even if it is cloudy where you are, including a livestream from the Royal Observatory Greenwich,” he adds.
It's worth making the effort. “The next eclipse this full in the UK won’t occur until 2081,” says Jake. “The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK will occur in 2090.”
So if you have ever fancied seeing a solar eclipse properly, this is the one to make time for.
Binoculars for stargazing
