The Met Office has released a map showing the best places in the UK to see Wednesday's partial solar eclipse, which will be the country's fullest for the next 54 years.
What to Expect on August 12
On Wednesday, August 12, people across much of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere will witness an impressive partial solar eclipse. In many UK areas, around 90% of the Sun's visible disc will be covered by the Moon. A total eclipse will be visible from parts of northern Spain, eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Russia, and the north-east corner of Portugal.
Best Viewing Locations in the UK
The Met Office's map highlights specific coverage percentages and times for various cities. Inverness will see 90.74% coverage at 19:03, while Edinburgh will have 90.71% at 19:06. Newcastle will see 90.22% at 19:07, and Birmingham will have coverage at 19:12. London will experience 91.41% coverage at 19:13, and Plymouth will see 94.66% at 19:16. Cardiff will have 93.24% coverage at 19:13, and Belfast will see 93.09% at 19:08.
Safety Advice from the Met Office
In a post on X, the Met Office stated: "The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August. The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country. Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it."
How to View Safely
The Royal Greenwich Observatory has warned that regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the eclipse. The UK Health Security Agency recommends two safe approaches: specialist eclipse viewers or indirect viewing methods. It advises using genuine eclipse glasses that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E), available from reputable retailers like Royal Museums Greenwich. It cautions against products sold online that may not meet this requirement and advises against using damaged glasses. Alternatively, a simple pinhole projector can be made at home for indirect viewing.
