This month, stargazers across the UK will be treated to one of 2026’s standout celestial events: a rare solar eclipse.
The phenomenon will deliver one of the deepest partial eclipses visible from Britain in decades.
While the path of totality will sweep across Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain—where the Sun will be completely obscured for more than two minutes—the UK will sit just outside it.
Even so, skies over Britain will still offer an exceptional partial eclipse.
90% of the Sun will be covered across much of Britain, creating an eerie twilight effect during the early evening.
As the Sun sets while still partially eclipsed, many people will witness the unusual sight of the Moon appearing to take a giant bite out of the setting Sun.
When is the solar eclipse in the UK?
The solar eclipse will take place on Wednesday, August 12.
In the UK, the celestial event will begin at approximately 6.17pm, reach its maximum shortly after 7.13pm, and finish around 8.06pm, with around 91% of the Sun obscured.
How to watch the solar eclipse safely
Anyone planning to watch the eclipse must never look directly at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses or suitable solar filters, even when most of the Sun is covered.
Can you wear ordinary sunglasses to watch the solar eclipse?
Official advice for the government states, "Ordinary sunglasses - no matter how dark - do not provide adequate protection for viewing a solar eclipse.
"They reduce glare, making it feel more comfortable to look at the Sun for longer, while still allowing harmful solar radiation to reach the retina.
"Never use regular sunglasses to look at the Sun during an eclipse."
Is the solar eclipse being livestreamed?
The event will be streamed on the Royal Observatory Greenwich YouTube account.
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The solar eclipse is being livestreamed by the Royal Observatory Greenwich from 6.10pm until 8pm.
It will be hosted by Royal Observatory astronomer Dr Greg Brown, who will take watches through the science of the Sun and solar eclipses.
Will you be watching the solar eclipse? Let us know in the comments.
