UK and Irish skywatchers can expect a partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, the first of its kind since 1999, with the Moon covering roughly 90% to 96% of the Sun at maximum.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking part or all of the Sun's light. The event will also be visible across much of Europe, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and northern Italy, where around 88% to 95% of the Sun will be obscured. In contrast, parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain lie in the path of totality, allowing a total solar eclipse in which the Sun is completely hidden by the Moon.
What will happen during the eclipse?
As the afternoon of 12 August progresses, the Moon and Sun will appear to move closer together in the sky. Because the side of the Moon facing Earth is unlit, it will not be visible without special equipment. The partial eclipse will begin at 6.17pm in London, with slight timing differences elsewhere.
The Moon will gradually move across the Sun's disk, reaching its maximum coverage at 7.12pm, when around 90% of the Sun is obscured. There will be a noticeable drop in light levels and temperature, though the sky will not become completely dark as it does during a total eclipse. Conditions may instead resemble a cloudy day or the light seen around dawn or dusk.
After the peak, the Moon will slowly move away from the Sun until the eclipse ends at 8.06pm. Because the event takes place around sunset, both the Sun and Moon will be low in the western sky, so a high location with a clear view of the western horizon offers the best chance to see the whole phenomenon.
Eclipse timings around the UK
Timings provided by the Royal Museum Greenwich (first contact – Moon first begins to cover the Sun):
- Edinburgh & Glasgow: 6:08pm
- Galway & Dublin: 6:12pm
- Manchester & Liverpool: 6:13pm
- Norwich & Birmingham: 6:15pm
- London, Bristol & Cardiff: 6:17pm
- Truro, Cornwall: 6:18pm
Eclipse maximum (greatest coverage):
- Edinburgh & Glasgow: 7:05pm
- Galway & Dublin: 7:10pm
- Manchester & Liverpool: 7:10pm
- Norwich & Birmingham: 7:11pm
- London, Bristol & Cardiff: 7:12pm
- Truro, Cornwall: 7:16pm
End of eclipse (Moon completely moves off the Sun):
- Edinburgh & Glasgow: 8:00pm
- Galway & Dublin: 8:05-8:06pm
- Manchester & Liverpool: 8:03-8:04pm
- Norwich & Birmingham: 8:04pm
- London, Bristol & Cardiff: 8:06pm
- Truro, Cornwall: 8:10pm
This will be the most significant solar eclipse seen from the UK and Ireland in nearly 30 years. In 1999, a total eclipse was visible from parts of Cornwall and Devon, with a deep partial eclipse elsewhere across the region.
