LONDON: A spectacular solar eclipse will cross parts of Europe on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. It will be one of the most notable sky events in decades.
The event will mark Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999. Sky-watchers across several countries are preparing for the rare astronomical event.
The UK will not fall within the path of totality. However, much of Britain will experience a deep partial eclipse.
Some areas of England could see up to 96% of the Sun covered by the Moon. The event will also bring noticeable changes in daylight and temperatures.
The best UK views will require a clear western horizon. The Sun will be low in the western sky during the late afternoon and evening.
Countries in the Path of Totality
The Moon will completely block the Sun along the eclipse’s totality path. The path will measure around 70 to 80 miles wide.
The shadow will cross parts of North America, Greenland and Europe. Spain will have the largest land area within the totality path.
In Spain, the eclipse will cross several populated areas. These include Bilbao, A Coruña, Zaragoza and Valencia.
The shadow will also pass near Mallorca. It will then move toward North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Iceland will also experience totality. The eclipse will pass through western Iceland near Reykjavik.
It will be Iceland’s first total eclipse since 1954. The surrounding glaciers and landscapes could provide striking views.
The eclipse will briefly touch parts of Greenland. It will also reach northeastern Portugal before moving across the Atlantic.
What Will the UK See?
People across Great Britain will experience between 88% and 96% coverage. Southwestern England and Wales will see some of the highest coverage.
Cornwall could receive more than 95.5% coverage. London and southeast England will see around 91%.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will experience roughly 88% to 92% coverage.
The solar eclipse will begin shortly after 6:00 PM BST across most of the UK. Peak coverage will occur around 7:10 PM to 7:15 PM.
The event will end shortly after 8:00 PM in many locations.
London and southeast England will see the eclipse from about 6:17 PM to 8:06 PM. Maximum coverage will reach around 91% at 7:12 PM.
In southwest England, the eclipse will run from about 6:18 PM to 8:10 PM. Truro could see around 95.5% coverage.
Birmingham and the Midlands will experience the event from around 6:15 PM to 8:04 PM. Peak coverage will reach about 92%.
Liverpool and Manchester will see around 92% coverage. Their viewing window will run from approximately 6:13 PM to 8:04 PM.
Edinburgh will experience around 89% coverage at approximately 7:05 PM. Belfast could see around 91% coverage at about 7:08 PM.
Best Places to Watch
Clear western horizons will provide the best viewing conditions in Britain. Coastal locations can offer particularly good views.
High points may also provide clearer horizons in urban areas. Places such as Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill could be suitable.
However, weather conditions will remain an important factor. Cloud cover could reduce visibility during the event.
Eclipse Viewing Safety
People should never look directly at the Sun during the solar eclipse. Direct viewing can cause serious and permanent eye damage.
Specialised eclipse glasses are recommended for safe observation. They should meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
Normal sunglasses are not suitable for eclipse viewing. They cannot provide enough protection from intense solar radiation.
A simple pinhole viewer can also be made using two pieces of cardboard. The device projects the Sun’s image onto another surface.
People using binoculars or telescopes need extra caution. These devices must have professional-grade solar filters attached.
In other news read more about UK Solar Eclipse: Rare Partial Eclipse to Darken Skies on August 12
Looking through unfiltered optical equipment can cause severe eye injuries. Proper protection is essential throughout the eclipse.
