A deep partial solar eclipse is set to take place on Wednesday, August 12, offering Scots in Glasgow and Edinburgh over 90% coverage of the sun being blocked by the moon. This will be the deepest solar eclipse in the British Isles since 2015.
Eclipse timings for Scottish cities
According to the BBC's Star at Night Magazine, Glasgow is predicted to experience a greatest eclipse of 91.4% between 6:08pm and 8pm, with maximum coverage at 7:06pm. Edinburgh will see a partial eclipse of 90.7% at 7:05pm. Coverage decreases slightly in the north east of Scotland, but a reduced eclipse may still be visible.
The deepest partial eclipse in the UK is expected in Cardiff, Wales, with 93.2% coverage. However, sky watchers must travel abroad to see a total solar eclipse, as the path of totality will pass over eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, just southwest of the British Isles.
What to expect during the eclipse
Observers will see the moon cross the sun from right to left, creating a frown-shaped crescent at the moment of maximum eclipse from the UK. This event comes over a decade after the last comparably deep partial eclipse on March 20, 2015, when parts of Scotland experienced 98% coverage.
Safety warnings for viewers
The UK Health Security Agency warns against looking directly at the sun during the eclipse, even though it appears dimmer. The reduced brightness can override the eye's natural reflex to look away, allowing intense sunlight to damage the retina. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. Observers should use genuine eclipse glasses with specially designed filters meeting international safety standards, and avoid scratched, torn or damaged products. Indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole viewer or projecting the sun's image through a colander or tree leaves are also safe alternatives.
