The next total solar eclipse visible in the UK will not occur until September 23, 2090, according to experts. Tonight's eclipse, which saw more than 90% of the Sun obscured by the Moon, was the most significant since 1999.
Tonight's Eclipse Details
Crowds gathered across the continent to witness the phenomenon, with thousands queuing for eclipse glasses. Others used homemade methods like cereal boxes and colanders, while photographers captured the event. Experts warned against looking at the eclipse with the naked eye or phone cameras due to risk of damage.
The Met Office highlighted eight UK locations for the best views: Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham, London, Inverness, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Newcastle. The eclipse took place between 6.17pm and 8.06pm, with timings varying by location.
Future Eclipses
Experts note that a comparable event visible in the UK will come on September 3, 2081, when the Sun will again be more than 90% covered. Cornwall and the south coast are expected to be the best viewing spots.
For those willing to travel, a partial solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, visible in the UK and totally in southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East.
According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, future partial eclipses will offer 50% coverage in 2030, 40% in 2053, 60% in 2066, 70% in 2075 and 2082, and 40% in 2088. There will be a handful of minor eclipses in between, but 2026 remains the most notable for some time.
