On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the moon will pass directly between Earth and the sun, producing a deep partial solar eclipse visible across Liverpool. At its peak, around 91.8% of the sun will be obscured, making afternoon skies noticeably darker and creating lighting conditions similar to dusk.
Although Liverpool will not see a total eclipse, this will be one of the most significant solar events visible from the UK and Ireland in decades. Meanwhile, observers in parts of Europe, including Iceland and northern Spain, will witness a total solar eclipse, with the moon completely covering the sun for a short time.
When to see the eclipse in Liverpool
The eclipse will unfold across the evening, with these key timings for Liverpool:
- Eclipse begins: between 5.58pm and 6.13pm BST
- Maximum eclipse: 7.10pm BST
- Peak coverage: 91.8% of the sun covered
- Eclipse ends: 8.04pm BST
At the moment of maximum coverage, Liverpool will not be plunged into complete darkness because the sun will not be fully hidden. Instead, the city will experience unusual, dimmed lighting that may feel like a cloudy evening or the moments before sunset.
Experts suggest the best views will come from a location with a clear view towards the western horizon. Higher points away from buildings, trees and other obstructions will offer the strongest sightlines as the sun begins to set.
What the eclipse looks like
As the moon moves across the solar disk, it will gradually cover more of the sun. The reduced sunlight will make the sky appear darker and alter the quality of light across the city. However, because this is a partial eclipse, a sliver of the sun will remain visible, and that remaining sunlight is still extremely powerful and dangerous to view without proper protection.
Eclipse times across the UK
In London, the eclipse will begin at around 6.17pm BST, with maximum coverage at 7.12pm, when about 90% of the sun will be hidden. The event will continue until approximately 8.06pm.
Across north west England, including Liverpool and Manchester, the eclipse will be slightly more dramatic. Liverpool will see the event begin at 6.13pm, reach peak coverage at 7.10pm with around 91.8% of the sun hidden, and end at 8.04pm. People in Birmingham, Leeds and much of northern England will also see more than 90% of the sun covered, with the peak coming shortly after 7.10pm.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the eclipse will start a few minutes earlier. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast will see a slightly smaller, but still impressive, portion of the sun covered, with maximum eclipse at about 7.05pm and the event finishing close to 8pm.
The best time to watch the eclipse anywhere in the UK will be between around 6.45pm and 7.30pm, when the moon is blocking the greatest amount of sunlight.
How to watch safely
Anyone hoping to watch the eclipse from Liverpool must use certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or approved solar viewing equipment. Ordinary sunglasses, cameras without suitable solar filters, binoculars and homemade filters are not safe and can cause serious eye damage. The safest way to enjoy the event is to wear specialist eclipse glasses for the entire period when looking directly at the sun.
For Liverpool residents, the August 2026 eclipse is a rare opportunity to witness a major astronomical event from the city, with more than 90% of the sun temporarily hidden by the moon.
