A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK tonight, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured by the Moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm, depending on location. Experts have issued warnings about safe viewing, including a NASA caution against using phone cameras.
Phone camera warning
Brits have been urged not to use their phone's front-facing camera to view the eclipse, as it could destroy the device. In a post on X, NASA said that pointing a phone's camera directly at the Sun could damage its image sensor. The organisation added that using magnifying lenses attached to the phone camera would increase the risk of damage.
NASA suggested using a solar filter or holding a pair of eclipse glasses in front of the phone's lens to protect the sensor from damage.
Safe viewing methods
Experts have warned that it is highly dangerous to look at the solar eclipse directly without appropriate eye protection. Only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified should be used, and regular sunglasses are not sufficient. Legitimate eclipse glasses will have the safety certification printed on them.
One simple way to safely view the eclipse is by making a pinhole viewer from an empty cereal box. The box helps block out surrounding sunlight, creating a clearer image of the eclipse. Colanders and tea strainers can also be used, as they project multiple images of the eclipse onto the ground.
Timings and coverage
From the UK and Ireland, the partial solar eclipse will last around one hour and 50 minutes. In London, the Moon will begin to cover the Sun at 6.17pm, reaching maximum at 7.12pm and finishing at 8.06pm. In Manchester, the eclipse starts at 6.13pm, peaks at 7.10pm, and finishes at 8.03pm. Cardiff viewers can expect the eclipse to start at 6.16pm, peak at 7.13pm, and finish at 8.06pm. The Isles of Scilly have an earlier start time of 6pm, with a peak at 7.16pm and finish at 8.05pm.
Dr Carys Herbert, an astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said Cornwall will experience 96% coverage, West Scotland 93%, and London 92%. The Moon will block 95% of the Sun in Plymouth, and 93% in Cardiff and Belfast. The South and South East of the country are likely to have the clearest skies, whereas Scotland and Northern Ireland have a higher chance of thick cloud and rain.
Demand for glasses
Solar eclipse glasses have sold out in many places, including on Amazon. A camera retailer in Wales reported selling around 500 pairs of specialist eclipse glasses within hours. Joel Longbone, owner of Cambrian Photography in Colwyn Bay, told the BBC: "We could never have expected this in a month of Sundays." He said fifty pairs sold out in three minutes yesterday, and another 500 were gone by 11am this morning. He added: "We were limiting it to two pairs a customer."
Reseller Akrom has been reselling eclipse glasses for £100 each from outside an off-license in Central London. He told The Telegraph: "I started selling them each for £20, but then I heard they've nearly run out of stock so I'm now selling five for £100 each. It's simple supply and demand."
The last total solar eclipse in the UK was in 1999, and the next one is not until September 2090. However, Spain will experience a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, and an annular eclipse on January 26, 2028.
