For the first time this century, people across the UK will be able to see an almost total solar eclipse in the evening sky on Wednesday. The moon will cover 90-96% of the sun across the UK and Ireland, marking the last chance for such an event until 2081.
Regional coverage and best views
Viewers in the west will see the most of the sun obscured: 95% in Plymouth, 93.2% in Cardiff, and 93.1% in Belfast. Manchester will see 91.9%, London 91.4%, Edinburgh 90.7%, Newcastle 90.2%, and Shetland the lowest at 88%. Across north-western Europe, coverage will be about 88-95%, while parts of Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain will experience a total eclipse for up to two minutes and 18 seconds.
Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer Jess Lee said these differences are small and all “will still be impressive sights”. She recommended finding hills with clear views to the west, such as Parliament Hill, Alexandra Palace, or Primrose Hill in London, or rooftop venues.
Weather forecast and expert advice
Because the eclipse takes place in August, there is a stronger chance of clear skies. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said it was too early to be confident, but “given the summer we’ve had a lot of the UK will have reasonable viewing conditions”. However, there is a higher risk of thick cloud and rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while the clearest skies are likely towards the south and east. “For many it’ll be quite a spectacular and rare event,” he said.
Scotland’s astronomer royal, Catherine Heymans, advises checking cloud cover forecasts and being ready to travel for clear skies. “I plan to check the Met Office’s fantastic online cloud cover forecast as we get closer to the day. I’m ready to hop on a train north, south, east or west to find some cloud-free skies,” she said. She also recommends a dress rehearsal: “If you can’t see the sun from your planned viewing spot at 7.30pm because your view is blocked by a hill or a house, then you’ll want to find yourself a different location for the real event.”
Safety first: eye protection essential
The most important thing, Heymans stressed, is to wear eclipse glasses and avoid looking directly at the sun. During an eclipse, the sun appears dimmer, making it easier to look at directly, but solar radiation can still damage the retina, often without causing pain. Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported about 70 cases of vision problems.
The UK Health Security Agency advises two safe approaches: specialist eclipse viewers or indirect viewing methods. Eclipse glasses must be genuine, sold by a reputable retailer, meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E), and have no scratches or damage. Old pairs may not be reusable, and sunglasses should never be used. Indirect methods include projecting the sun’s image through a colander or tree leaves onto white paper, or using a pinhole in a card.
Timing and what to expect
The eclipse starts at about 6.08pm in Edinburgh and Glasgow, 6.10pm in Belfast, 6.13pm in Manchester and Liverpool, 6.15pm in Birmingham, 6.17pm in London, and 6.18pm in Cornwall. Maximum eclipse follows about an hour later, ending around 8pm.
Sarah Crowther, an astronomer at the University of Manchester, noted that the surrounding area may go quiet during the eclipse, “when animals think it is night because it is darker, which gives a sense of calm. And then there’s an awakening as it gets light again, birds think it is dawn so there could be a dawn chorus.” She added: “I think many people feel a sense of awe when they see an eclipse. It can put the vast scales of the solar system into some kind of perspective.”
