The next solar eclipse visible from the UK will be a partial eclipse on March 29, 2025, according to astronomers. This will be followed by another partial eclipse on August 12, 2026, but a total solar eclipse will not cross British skies again until September 23, 2090.
Partial Eclipse on March 29, 2025
The March 2025 eclipse will be visible across the UK, with the moon covering a significant portion of the sun. In London, the eclipse will begin at 10:07 AM and reach its maximum at 11:03 AM, when about 30% of the sun will be obscured. In Edinburgh, the maximum will occur slightly later, at 11:16 AM, with a coverage of about 40%.
Observers are advised to use proper solar viewing glasses or indirect viewing methods, as looking directly at the sun can cause permanent eye damage.
Subsequent Eclipses and Future Totality
After 2025, the UK will experience another partial eclipse on August 12, 2026, though the visibility will vary by region. The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK will occur on September 23, 2090, according to astronomical calculations.
For those unable to wait, there will be a total solar eclipse visible in parts of Europe, including Spain, on August 12, 2026, but the UK will only see a partial eclipse.
How to View Safely
Experts emphasize that viewing a solar eclipse without proper protection is dangerous. Special eclipse glasses or solar filters for telescopes are essential. Alternatively, pinhole projectors can be used to observe the eclipse indirectly.
The next UK solar eclipse in 2025 offers a prime opportunity for enthusiasts and the public to witness a celestial event, with the next total eclipse not occurring for over six decades.
