The largest solar eclipse visible from the UK since 1999 is now just hours away, with the best time to see the event in each postcode now revealed. Most of the UK will experience a near-total eclipse, with the Isles of Scilly seeing the most coverage at over 96 per cent, while the rest of the country will see more than 90 per cent of the Sun obscured as the Moon passes between it and Earth on Wednesday evening.
Timing and Speed of the Eclipse
Across the UK, the eclipse will begin around 6pm and reach its peak about an hour later, ending just after 8pm in most places. The peak moment will sweep from the far north of Scotland down to Land's End in Cornwall in just 15 minutes, meaning the Moon's shadow will travel over Britain at nearly 2,500 miles per hour.
By entering your postcode into an interactive tool, you can find the exact moment the eclipse passes your home. Solar eclipse glasses or specialist telescopes are the only safe ways to view the eclipse directly, or it can be projected using a pinhole or household items like a colander with holes.
Safety and Availability of Glasses
Sunglasses should not be used to look at the eclipse as they are not dark enough to block harmful solar radiation, which can cause severe damage to retinas. As this is the best UK eclipse for 54 years, interest has been so high that some high street stores and online retailers have sold out of eclipse glasses.
Forecast and Regional Coverage
The latest Met Office forecast shows most of England and Wales will have clear skies on Wednesday evening, with temperatures likely over 30C in large parts. However, cloud cover is forecast for most of Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus parts of the North East of England and Cumbria, though the eclipse may still be visible depending on cloud thickness.
The best viewing locations are in the far south west of Devon and Cornwall, where up to 96 per cent of the Sun will be obscured. The rest of Wales, Northern Ireland, parts of the West Midlands and the South West, and the westernmost parts of Scotland can expect 92 to 94 per cent coverage. In Cardiff, the Moon is forecast to obscure 93.24 per cent of the Sun at 7.13pm, while in Belfast it will cover 93.09 per cent at 7.08pm. Eastern areas, including the coasts of Norfolk, Yorkshire and Aberdeenshire, will see just over 90 per cent obscuration.
The next time the Moon obscures as much of the Sun will be in 2081, and the next total solar eclipse in the UK will be in 2090.
