The deepest eclipse visible from the UK since the total eclipse of August 1999. The Sun is very low in the north-west throughout, and in southern England it sets before maximum eclipse — the further north-west you are, the more you see.
Nearest reference city: London
| City | Starts | Maximum | Ends | Covered | Sun height | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 6:15 PM | 7:14 PM | 8:07 PM | 91 % | 10° | 8:31 PMthe whole eclipse finishes before sunset |
| Cardiff | 6:14 PM | 7:13 PM | 8:07 PM | 93 % | 12° | 8:43 PMthe whole eclipse finishes before sunset |
| Edinburgh | 6:13 PM | 7:12 PM | 8:06 PM | 91 % | 13° | 8:59 PMthe whole eclipse finishes before sunset |
| Belfast | 6:12 PM | 7:11 PM | 8:05 PM | 93 % | 15° | 9:05 PMthe whole eclipse finishes before sunset |
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun and casts its shadow on the Earth. It can only happen at new moon. Stand inside the umbra and the Sun is covered completely, turning day into twilight — that is a total solar eclipse. Stand to the side, in the penumbra, and you see a partial solar eclipse, with the Moon taking a bite out of the solar disc. Above you can see the next solar eclipse with times for a range of cities.
On 12 August 2026 a total solar eclipse sweeps across Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. From the UK it is seen as a very deep partial eclipse — around 90% of the solar disc is covered — making it the deepest eclipse visible from these islands since the total eclipse of August 1999.
What makes this one unusual is the timing: it falls in the evening, with the Sun low in the north-west and sinking towards the horizon throughout. At maximum the Sun stands only around 10-15° above the horizon, roughly the width of a clenched fist at arm's length, and it is lower the further south-east you are. A clear, unobstructed view towards the north-west therefore matters far more than for an eclipse at midday — trees, buildings or a hill will hide the Sun before the eclipse has finished. Look up the sunset time for your location and compare it with the table above.
A solar eclipse is dangerous to look at without protection. Even when only a thin sliver of the Sun remains, the light is bright enough to burn the retina, and because the retina has no pain receptors you feel nothing while the damage is done. Sunglasses, exposed film, CDs, smoked glass and tinted plastic are not safe. Use only eclipse glasses certified to the standard EN ISO 12312-2, and throw them away if they are scratched or punctured. If you use binoculars, a telescope or a camera, the filter must go in front of the lens — never behind it — and eclipse glasses alone are never enough. The safest method is indirect: make a small hole in a piece of card and let the Sun project its own image onto a surface behind it.
The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun every single month at new moon, and yet there are only two to five solar eclipses a year. The reason is that the Moon's orbit is tilted by about 5° relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun, so the Moon's shadow usually misses above or below the Earth. It takes a new moon close to one of the two points where the orbits cross before the shadow actually lands. The same is true of lunar eclipses, which occur in the same eclipse seasons, roughly every six months.
The Perseids — the most reliable meteor shower of the year — peak right around 12 and 13 August. Once the Sun has set after the eclipse you can stay out and watch for meteors in the darker part of the sky towards the north-east. Check the moon today to see how much moonlight will interfere.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun and casts its shadow on the Earth. It can only happen at new moon.
Yes. Even when only a thin sliver of the Sun remains, the light is bright enough to burn the retina, and you feel nothing while the damage is done. Use only eclipse glasses certified to the standard EN ISO 12312-2.
Only very rarely. Solar eclipses are normally seen from the UK as partial, with the Moon covering only part of the solar disc. A total eclipse requires standing inside the umbra, a narrow track a few hundred kilometres wide.
The Moon's orbit is tilted by about 5° relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun, so the Moon's shadow usually misses above or below the Earth. It takes a new moon close to one of the two points where the orbits cross before the shadow actually lands.