The UK is set to experience its most significant solar eclipse in 27 years on Wednesday, August 12. Sky watchers across the country will see a partial eclipse, with up to 96 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. This will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 eclipse.
What to Expect
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow. In the UK, the obscuration will vary by location, with some areas seeing over 90 per cent coverage. The last UK eclipse, in March 2025, only covered 30-40 per cent of the Sun, so this event will cause a noticeable dimming of daylight.
While parts of Spain and Iceland will witness a total eclipse, UK observers will see a partial one, with the highest obscuration in Cardiff at 93.24 per cent.
Exact Timings for 15 UK Cities
Here are the precise times for the partial eclipse from major cities. Times are in BST (British Summer Time).
London
- Obscuration: 91.41%
- Partial begins: 18:17:20
- Maximum: 19:13:21
- Partial ends: 20:06:21
Manchester
- Obscuration: 91.40%
- Partial begins: 18:13:27
- Maximum: 19:10:12
- Partial ends: 20:03:56
Birmingham
- Obscuration: 91.79%
- Partial begins: 18:15:20
- Maximum: 19:11:53
- Partial ends: 20:05:26
Glasgow
- Obscuration: 91.79%
- Partial begins: 18:15:20
- Maximum: 19:11:53
- Partial ends: 20:05:26
Cardiff
- Obscuration: 93.24%
- Partial begins: 18:16:59
- Maximum: 19:13:48
- Partial ends: 20:07:28
Liverpool
- Obscuration: 91.88%
- Partial begins: 18:13:28
- Maximum: 19:10:23
- Partial ends: 20:04:17
Newcastle
- Obscuration: 92.56%
- Partial begins: 18:15:14
- Maximum: 19:12:06
- Partial ends: 20:05:54
Leeds
- Obscuration: 90.80%
- Partial begins: 18:12:58
- Maximum: 19:09:33
- Partial ends: 20:03:11
Nottingham
- Obscuration: 91.06%
- Partial begins: 18:14:34
- Maximum: 19:10:59
- Partial ends: 20:04:25
Bristol
- Obscuration: 92.89%
- Partial begins: 18:17:07
- Maximum: 19:13:46
- Partial ends: 20:07:18
Sheffield
- Obscuration: 90.99%
- Partial begins: 18:13:44
- Maximum: 19:10:16
- Partial ends: 20:03:49
Leicester
- Obscuration: 91.25%
- Partial begins: 18:15:10
- Maximum: 19:11:32
- Partial ends: 20:04:55
Brighton
- Obscuration: 91.89%
- Partial begins: 18:18:32
- Maximum: 19:14:29
- Partial ends: 20:07:24
Belfast
- Obscuration: 93.09%
- Partial begins: 18:10:40
- Maximum: 19:08:27
- Partial ends: 20:03:08
Portsmouth
- Obscuration: 92.46%
- Partial begins: 18:18:30
- Maximum: 19:14:42
- Partial ends: 20:07:49
