A Once-In-A-Lifetime UK Eclipse is Just Weeks Away
- Justin
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 16
On Wednesday 12th August 2026, the Sun and Moon will align for a partial solar eclipse visible across the whole of the UK.
Solar eclipses in the UK don't come along often, and this one is a particularly deep eclipse with over 90% of the sun covered at its maximum.
The next time the UK will see an eclipse this significant is not until 2081, so this August’s event is not to be missed! Here are some tips on how to view the partial eclipse for yourself.
What can I expect to see?
The eclipse lasts for approximately two hours in the evening, starting at around 18:00 BST, with exact timings varying by location.
At the maximum point of eclipse (shortly after 19:00), the sun will be a thin crescent, with just under 90% of the sun covered for viewers in the East of the UK, increasing to 96% coverage for viewers in the Scilly Isles [1]. To find the exact timings for your location, and to see a preview of how much of the sun will be covered, this tool on The Sky Live website is very useful. [2]
Even during maximum coverage, the sky will become only slightly darker, similar to an overcast day. [3]
As the eclipse progresses, keep an eye out for strange looking shadows, such as the dappled light under a tree [4]. Small gaps between leaves will project the crescent shape of the sun like pinhole projectors.
How to view it for yourself
It’s essential to protect your eyes while observing the eclipse; looking directly at the Sun without the right protection can cause serious damage to your eyes. The below video from NASA [5] demonstrates some safe viewing methods:
Because the eclipse occurs towards the evening, you will want a site with a good view of the western sky. Don't forget to keep an eye on the weather forecast too – it's a good idea to be ready to move to another location in case the weather turns cloudy where you are.
Eclipse Glasses for Direct Observation
Specialised eclipse glasses are designed for safe solar viewing. These glasses block the majority of light, allowing you to see the eclipse clearly. It's important that the eclipse glasses (or filter) you choose conforms to the ISO standard 12312-2:2015, the internationally-recognised solar viewer transmission requirements for eye safety.
Bresser eclipse glasses, which meet this ISO standard, are available to purchase on the Astro Printer shop.
Pinhole Projection
A pinhole projector is a simple way to project the eclipse onto a surface. You can make one using a piece of cardboard with a small hole, allowing sunlight to pass through to project an image of the eclipse on the ground or a piece of paper. It's important the the hole is small (literally a pinhole) for this method to work.
This video from Veritasium [6] shows an example of pinhole projectors in use. Interestingly, it demonstrates that the shape of the hole isn't actually too important - as long as it's a very small hole.
Binoculars or Telescope with a Solar Filter
If you have binoculars or a telescope you'll be able to get a closer view of the eclipse, but it's important you use an appropriate solar filter to protect both your eyes and equipment. Simply wearing eclipse glasses is not enough!
A solar filter should be mounted at the front of your telescope (or binoculars). Otherwise, the sunlight hitting the mirrors or lenses inside your equipment will be focussed into an intense beam that could damage the optical assembly as well as your eyes.
It's important that the solar filter is securely mounted with no gaps and you check there is no damage to the filter film – even a small hole would be dangerous.
With a telescope you can either view the eclipse directly, or project a magnified image of the eclipse from the telescope onto a surface, so that multiple people can view it. An example of this projection method is shown in the above video by NASA.
For more detailed advice on viewing the eclipse with a telescope, references [7], [8] and [9] below are useful.
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However you choose to observe it, enjoy the eclipse!
Credits / Useful Links
For further advice on telescope filters:
