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
By Megan Eaves
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.
The path of totality will cross over western Europe. Although the UK sits just outside the full path of totality, many parts of the country will experience between 89 per cent and 96 per cent coverage of the Sun, meaning even those who cannot travel abroad will still witness a spectacular partial eclipse here at home.
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)The next total solar eclipse over the UK will not happen until 23 September 2090, so Scotland’s Astronomer Royal, Catherine Heymans, recommends everyone try to get outside and view this year’s event if they can. “To experience celestial motion in real-time, witnessing the rare brief moment when you, the Moon and the Sun, are all in perfect alignment – well, that feels just magical,” she says.
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.
The excitement doesn’t end at sunset, though, as this year’s eclipse occurs during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, offering the best chance of the year to see shooting stars after dark.
Read more here.
August 12, 2026 2:26 pmHow to watch the eclipse safely – even if you don’t have the special glasses
Watching a solar eclipse without proper eye protection could damage your retina, potentially causing permanent visual impairments.
Here, The i Paper explores the different ways viewers could observe the solar spectacle safely.
Eclipse glasses
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.
The space agency has advised observers to inspecting their glasses for damage, and discard them if they are torn or scratched.
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)If eclipse glasses are not available, Nasa suggests using indirect methods which do not involve looking directly at the Sun.
One example is a pinhole projector, which can be made using a box, aluminium foil and a white sheet of paper.
The first step in making one is taping the foil and paper to both ends of the box. The next step is to pierce a hole through the foil. That would allow you to directly view the Sun shining through the hole onto the 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.
Another alternative is a colander. By watching the shadow that the colander projects onto the ground, you can safely view the phases of the eclipse.
Phone cameras
Using a phone’s front-facing camera to view the eclipse will not harm your eyes – but it could damage the device.
Nasa said that pointing a phone’s camera directly at the Sun could damage its image sensor.
It warned 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 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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