A rare total solar eclipse will transform skies across Britain and much of Europe on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, marking the first such event visible from Europe since 1999. The moon will pass directly between Earth and the sun, plunging parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal into temporary darkness.
What Will Happen During the Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking some or all of its light. Next month’s event will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe since 1999, when people across parts of Cornwall and Devon witnessed totality. This time, viewers in the UK and Ireland will see a partial eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a huge bite out of the sun. The event will begin with “first contact” when the moon starts moving across the sun, reach its maximum point, and then gradually end as the moon moves away.
Will It Go Completely Dark in the UK?
The UK will not experience complete darkness because the sun will not be fully covered. However, enough sunlight will be blocked to cause a noticeable drop in brightness and temperature, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Depending on cloud cover, daylight could briefly resemble dusk or dawn. The effect will be strongest in the south-west: London is expected to see around 90% coverage, Cornwall about 95%, and the south-western tip of Ireland could experience almost 97.7% coverage. A partial eclipse will also be visible from other parts of Europe, Canada, and north-western Africa.
When Will the Eclipse Take Place?
The eclipse will begin in the UK during the early evening of Wednesday, August 12. Viewers will first see the moon cover the sun, then reach maximum coverage, and gradually move away. Exact timings vary by location.
Where Will the Total Eclipse Be Visible?
Anyone hoping to experience complete darkness must travel overseas. The path of totality will start over Greenland, cross Iceland, and end in northern Spain and the Balearic Islands. A small remote part of northern Russia will also experience a total eclipse. According to NASA, totality will occur around midday in northern Russia and during the late afternoon or early evening in Greenland and Iceland. In Spain and north-western Portugal, the sun will be completely covered shortly before sunset. For most along the path, totality will last less than two minutes; those near the centre in Greenland, Russia, or the North Atlantic could see it for around two-and-a-half minutes.
Is It Safe to Look Directly at the Eclipse?
It is not safe to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Looking at the sun during a partial eclipse can cause serious permanent eye damage. The only safe moment to look without protection is during totality, which will not occur in the UK. Viewers should use certified eclipse glasses, which NASA says are thousands of times darker than ordinary sunglasses. Be cautious when buying glasses online, as counterfeit products may not offer enough protection. The American Astronomical Society advises checking glasses indoors first: you should not see anything except extremely bright lights, which should appear faint. Test them outside, where almost nothing should remain visible. When briefly looking towards the sun, you should see a clear, round disc that appears comfortably bright. Anyone photographing the eclipse should use a certified solar filter on their camera or telephoto lens.
When Will the Next Solar Eclipse Happen?
Brits who miss next month’s event will have a lengthy wait. The next total solar eclipse visible from Britain is not expected until 2090. Spain will have another opportunity sooner, with a second total eclipse due on August 2, 2027. Further total eclipses will cross parts of southern Africa, Australia, North America, Asia, and Greenland over the following two decades.
