On Wednesday, August 12, the UK will experience its most complete solar eclipse in over 25 years, with around 90% of the sun expected to be obscured by the moon. This rare celestial event marks the best eclipse visibility in Britain until 2090, making it a must-see for skywatchers.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light either partially or totally. The type of eclipse depends on the relative positions of the sun, Earth, and moon, as well as the viewer's location. On August 12, the UK will see a partial eclipse, which is notable for the high percentage of the sun that will be covered.
When to watch in London
For those in London, Bristol, and Cardiff, the eclipse will begin at 6:17pm, peak at 7:13pm, and end at 8:06pm, lasting approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. In Manchester and Liverpool, it starts slightly earlier at 6:13pm, while in Scotland it begins around 6:08pm. Some European countries, such as Greenland and Iceland, will experience a total eclipse.
Safety precautions
Partial solar eclipses pose greater risks than total ones because the sun is never fully covered. It is never safe to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Dr Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, advises that glasses must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, be free of any perforations or folds, and have the ISO standard printed on them.
Ordinary sunglasses are not safe, as they do not block enough harmful light. Solar eclipse glasses have a special silver filter that blocks all but one part in 100,000 of the sun's light and reduce ultraviolet radiation to safe levels. Alternatively, live streams from The Standard and the Royal Observatory offer safe viewing, and local astronomical societies may host events. You can also build a pinhole projector.
Best viewing spots in London
High vantage points such as Primrose Hill and Greenwich Park are recommended for the clearest views. Apps like Eclipse Horizon Checker can help find the best location.
