Deepest partial solar eclipse since 1999 to darken UK and Irish skies on 12 August

A rare alignment over Britain and Ireland

On Wednesday, 12 August, the moon will cover approximately 94 to 95 percent of the sun as seen from the UK and Ireland, producing the deepest partial solar eclipse visible from these islands since the total eclipse of August 1999. The Independent reports that more than 90 percent of the sun will be obscured between 6:17pm and 8:06pm, with maximum coverage anticipated around 7:13pm. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium gives slightly earlier times for Ireland, with the eclipse beginning at approximately 6:10pm, reaching its maximum at around 7:08pm, and concluding shortly after 8pm. BBC Yorkshire places the viewing window between 18:00 and 20:15 BST.

A total solar eclipse will follow a narrow path across the planet, likely crossing Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and a small portion of Portugal. Ireland and the UK will not experience totality, but the 94 percent partial coverage has been eagerly awaited by professionals in the field for decades. The next time the moon will obscure such a large portion of the sun over British skies will not be until 2081, and the next total solar eclipse visible from the UK is projected for 23 September 2090.

Safety warnings and eye damage risks

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning ahead of the event, noting that the sun will appear dimmer than usual during the eclipse, making it easier to look at directly and resulting in damage to eyesight. Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported about 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse, with about 40 percent of those having looked at it for less than a minute. The Royal Greenwich Observatory has emphasised that standard sunglasses offer insufficient protection for viewing the event.

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.

She stressed the critical importance of preparation and eye safety, advising the use of specialised solar eclipse glasses, solar telescopes, or attendance at local astronomy society events.

Viewing methods and public events

The UKHSA recommended genuine eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers, as well as alternatives such as a pinhole viewer, watching the sun's image projected through a colander or the gaps between tree leaves, or projecting the sun's image onto a sheet of paper using a simple pinhole projector. Professor Michael Burton, Director of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, offered similar guidance:

The Sun is never safe to look at directly with the naked eye, binoculars or a camera, no matter how much of it is covered by the Moon.

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will host a family-friendly day of activities from 10am to 8pm, including hands-on science demonstrations, dome shows, and eclipse-themed events for all ages. Stargazing groups, observatories, and science centres across the UK are organising public viewing events, with BBC listing locations in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.

Weather outlook

A weather expert cited by the Evening Standard indicated that high pressure is expected to keep conditions mostly dry across much of the UK, though some rain could affect the far northwest. The expert noted that the forecast still carries some uncertainty, as the eclipse remains five days away. There is a moderate to high possibility that a good portion of the UK will have clear skies, though at least some cloud is likely in the west.