Most of the UK will see more than 90 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon later this evening in a rare partial solar eclipse.
There are huge queues to snag specialised eclipse-viewing glasses last minute as millions of people prepare for the once-in a generation astronomical spectacle.
Experts have warned that those who do not have the correct viewing equipment should not look directly at the Sun, with scientists suggesting people could make a pinhole camera in a pinch.
In the UK, the eclipse will start just after 6pm, and could last until around 8pm depending where in the country you are.
Follow The i Paper’s live blog for the latest updates.
The best places to view the solar eclipse across the UK How to watch the eclipse safely – even if you don’t have the special glasses Sort: Newest first Oldest first August 12, 2026 2:35 pmThe best places to view the solar eclipse across the UK
Later today, a major solar eclipse will take place over the UK shortly before sunset – the last event of its kind until 2081. The next total solar eclipse over the UK will be in 2090. And with clear skies over much of the country this evening, the chances of seeing it will be much improved from the cloudy event in 1999.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow across a portion of the Earth’s surface and obscuring the Sun’s light for a few minutes.
West-facing coastal villages such as Polzeath in Cornwall will have a very good view of the eclipse (Photo: Harry Trump/Getty)This year’s eclipse occurs in the evening, starting at around 6.15pm and ending a little after 8pm. This means the Sun will be very close to setting, so you’ll need to be up high or on a shoreline with an open view of the low western horizon.
Read more here.
August 12, 2026 2:26 pmHow to watch the eclipse safely – even if you don’t have the special glasses
Here, The i Paper explores the different ways viewers could observe the solar spectacle safely.
Wearing sunglasses as protection to watch the eclipse is not safe. But specialised eclipse glasses are safe to use, as they are several thousand times darker than sunglasses, according to Nasa.
Nasa has also advised against using eclipse glasses while looking through binoculars, camera lenses, or any other optical device. It has warned that the concentrated solar rays could burn through the glasses’ filter and could cause eye injuries.
A pair of solar eclipse glasses held up toward the Sun (Photo: Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)One example is a pinhole projector, which can be made using a box, aluminium foil and a white sheet of paper.
During the different phases of the eclipse, you will be able to see the shadow from the Moon block out the light projected onto the piece of paper.
Phone cameras
Nasa said that pointing a phone’s camera directly at the Sun could damage its image sensor.
Nasa suggested using a solar filter or holding a pair of eclipse glasses in front of your phone’s lens to protect the sensor from damage.
August 12, 2026 2:18 pmWelcome to the live blog
Good evening and welcome to our live blog on the solar eclipse.
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