The UK's biggest solar eclipse this century will be visible from every part of the country this evening (Wednesday, August 12), with over 90 per cent of the sun obscured by the moon at the height of the eclipse from around 7pm. Londoners are rushing to find last-minute eclipse glasses, but the exact moment the moon begins to move in front of the sun and the peak time vary by location. Use the postcode search tool to find the precise times for your area.
Peak Eclipse Times and Coverage Across the UK
The eclipse will take just 15 minutes to sweep from the very north of Scotland down to Land's End in Cornwall, meaning the moon's shadow will travel over Britain at a speed of nearly 2,500 miles per hour. In the UK, the eclipse will not be total, unlike parts of Spain, but coverage will be significant.
The best locations are the far south western areas of Devon and Cornwall, where up to 96% of the sun will be obscured. The rest of Wales, Northern Ireland, parts of the West Midlands and the South West, and the westernmost parts of Scotland can expect 92% to 94% coverage. In Cardiff, the moon is forecast to obscure 93.24% of the sun at 7.13pm, while in Belfast it will cover 93.09% at 7.08pm. Areas in the East, including the coasts of Norfolk, Yorkshire and Aberdeenshire, will see just over 90 per cent obscured.
Safety Warnings and How to View the Eclipse
Astronomers are warning that it is dangerous to look directly at the sun even when over 90 per cent of it is hidden. The Royal Greenwich Observatory warned that regular sunglasses are not safe. Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the observatory, told the Press Association: “It’s not a total eclipse, but over 90% is really exciting. We’re not going to get one this good for a really long time. So, it’s important not to miss it, and to be prepared. You can’t just go out and expect to have a look because it’s really dangerous for your eyes.”
Safe viewing methods include solar eclipse glasses, which block out so much light that you can't see anything except the sun, or a solar telescope. Alternatively, project the eclipse using a household item like a colander: point the colander towards the sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow you'll see the eclipse in the holes. High Street stores and online retailers have sold out of eclipse glasses due to high demand.
Weather Forecast and Future Eclipses
The latest Met Office forecast shows most of England and Wales will have clear skies on Wednesday evening, with temperatures likely over 30C in large parts of the country. However, cloud cover is forecast for most of Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus parts of the North East of England and Cumbria. Depending on cloud thickness, the eclipse may still be visible in these areas.
Ms Bell advised getting to a vantage point facing west, with minimal buildings around, as the best way to view the eclipse. “We might notice the sky getting a little bit dark, so if you’re looking safely, it’ll look a bit like the moon is taking a bite out of the sun, you’ll see something that looks a bit like a crescent sun.” The next time the moon obscures as much of the sun will be in 2081, and the next total solar eclipse in the UK will be in 2090.
