A spectacular partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, with the moon blocking up to 95% of the sun's light – the greatest eclipse seen from the UK since 1999.
Eclipse details
Portions of Europe, including Iceland and Northern Spain, will experience a total eclipse that will transform day into night, while Britain will enjoy a partial eclipse, producing an unsettling early dusk. The eclipse will occur as the moon travels between the Earth and the Sun, blocking up to 95% of the Sun's light for the UK and even causing a temporary drop in temperature.
The eclipse will take place on Wednesday, August 12 and will produce the most significant Sun coverage witnessed from Britain and Ireland since the 1999 solar eclipse.
Viewing times and coverage
A spokesperson for Royal Museums Greenwich said: "The new Moon and the Sun will gradually move closer together in the sky in the late afternoon. As the side facing us will be dark, the Moon will be invisible without specialist equipment."
At 6.17pm from London (timings vary slightly from other parts of the UK and Ireland), 'first contact' will occur, when the Moon first covers part of the disk of the Sun. "The Moon will move slowly in front of the Sun until roughly 90% of the Sun is covered (the eclipse's maximum). This will be at 7.12pm from London."
"At the maximum, enough of the Sun will be covered to make a noticeable difference in the temperature and light levels. However, unlike with a total eclipse, the sky will not become dark – it will feel more like a cloudy day or close to dusk or dawn. After the maximum, the Moon will then slowly move off the Sun's disk until the eclipse ends, at 8.06pm from London," they added, reports Wales Online.
They further advised: "Getting to a high point with a clear view of the western horizon will allow you to see the whole event."
Regional timings
Here are the precise times to observe and the extent of the Sun's coverage across various parts of the UK (all times are in BST):
- South West England (Cornwall / Plymouth / Truro): Eclipse begins at 6:18pm, maximum coverage 95% to 96% at 7:16pm, ends at 8:10pm.
- Wales (Cardiff / Swansea / Pembrokeshire): Starts at 6:16pm, peak coverage 93% to 94% at 7:13pm, ends around 8:07pm.
- Northern Ireland (Belfast): Begins at 6:10pm, peak coverage 93% at 7:08pm, ends by 8:03pm.
- North West England & Midlands (Manchester / Liverpool / Birmingham): Begins at 6:13pm, peaks with 91.5% coverage at 7:10pm (7:11pm for Birmingham), ends around 8:04pm.
- London & South East England: Starts at 6:17pm, maximum coverage 91.4% at 7:13pm, ends at 8:06pm.
- Scotland (Edinburgh / Glasgow): Starts at 6:08pm, peak coverage 91% at 7:05pm, ends by 8:00pm.
- North East England & Yorkshire (Leeds / Newcastle): Starts at 6:12pm, maximum coverage 90.5% at 7:09pm, concludes at 8:03pm.
Safety warning
As this is a partial eclipse and the Sun is never entirely obscured in the UK, it is never safe to gaze directly at it without certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses or makeshift filters will not safeguard your eyes.
