Are you ready for the upcoming solar eclipse? Here’s what to expect – and how you can enjoy it safely
Excitement is building for the coming solar eclipse, set to dazzle us (hopefully not literally) for more than two hours on August 12. It will block out the Sun completely in Greenland and Iceland – and up to 95% right here in Blighty.
But are you prepared to experience the wonders of the cosmos? Here Meg Jorsh gives you the info you need to enjoy the show safely…
What’s going to happen?
Solar eclipses do occur from time to time – the last one visible from Britain was in March 2025. But according to the experts, this one is going to be special.
Tipped to be the ‘most dramatic in more than three decades,’ it will affect the whole of the UK. Millions are expected to watch, with the best views expected in the southwest and Cornwall.
A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, which means they line up for a few minutes, casting a shadow. The most spectacular, known as total eclipses, cover the sun completely, leaving nothing but an eerie, black hole in the sky.
Other parts of the world, including Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal, will witness a total eclipse tonight. But what happens for us will be almost as impressive.
As the Moon gradually covers the Sun, the temperature will drop and the wind will slow, perhaps even changing direction. This happens because of changes to the ‘boundary layer’ – the area of air that usually separates high-level winds from those at the ground.
It won’t be completely dark, like it would be during a total eclipse. But the Sun’s light will dim as the eclipse approaches its peak, when just a tiny crescent will be left on show.
When to watch
According to Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG), here is when you can witness the phenomenon:
- Edinburgh and Glasgow: 6.08pm – 8pm. Eclipse maximum at 7.05pm.
- Manchester and Liverpool: 6.13pm – 8.03-04pm. Eclipse maximum at 7.10pm.
- Norwich and Birmingham: 6.15pm – 8.04pm. Eclipse maximum at 7.11pm.
- London, Bristol and Cardiff: 6.17pm – 8.06pm. Eclipse maximum at 7.12pm.
- Cornwall – 6.18pm – 8.10pm. Eclipse maximum at 7.16pm.
How to watch
As the Sun appears to dim, you may feel tempted to stare directly at it. Do NOT do this. Don’t let children do it either. Even partially covered by the Moon, it can and will seriously damage their eyes.
“During an eclipse, the Sun appears dimmer than usual”, explains the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
“This makes it easier to look at directly – and that’s precisely the problem. The reduced brightness can override the body’s natural reflex to look away, allowing intense sunlight to reach and damage the retina.
“This damage happens without causing any pain, so you may not realise harm is occurring until it’s too late.”
Instead, here are a few things you can try:
1. Wear solar eclipse viewing glasses. These are specifically designed to keep you safe – normal sunglasses will not do the job.
It’s important to look out for fake glasses, especially if you have bought them online, as these can cause permanent blind spots in seconds. Check yours are printed with the safety code ‘ISO 12312-2’ or ‘ISO 12312-2:2015.’
2. Make a pinhole projector. Use a pin to poke a tiny, clean hole in the middle of a piece of card. Stand with your back facing the Sun, holding the card so the light can shine through the hole and project an image of the eclipse. Place a second piece of white card or paper underneath for the best view.
3. Watch the eclipse online. You can enjoy the whole thing, with live commentary from the experts, on the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s YouTube channel.
Solar eclipse facts
- An eclipse this spectacular was last seen in Britain on August 11, 1999. We’ll have to wait until September 3, 2081 for the next one, when up to 99% of the sun will be obscured. Our next total eclipse is expected on September 23, 2090.
- Eclipses can only happen because – in a cosmic fluke – the Moon is both 400 times smaller than the Sun and 400 times closer to the Earth, making it exactly the right size. But the Moon is gradually moving away from us, so at some point in the future they will no longer be possible.
- The Vikings thought an eclipse was a pair of wolves chasing the Sun. The ancient Vietnamese thought the star was being eaten by a frog or toad, while early Chinese mythology held it was a dragon.
- In 1504, while stranded off the coast of Jamaica, Christopher Columbus used a predicted lunar eclipse to save his crew from hunger. The explorer threatened to “turn the moon blood red” until the locals supplied them with food.