A rare solar eclipse is set to grace the skies above Britain and various parts of Europe next month. On Wednesday, August 12, millions of people across the UK will witness up to 90% of the sun being obscured during this extraordinary cosmic phenomenon, marking the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe since 1999. The moon will pass directly between the Earth and the sun, casting parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a small section of Portugal into a temporary state of darkness.
Although the UK won’t experience a complete eclipse, a significant portion of the country will witness a substantial blockage of sunlight. The event occurs when the moon moves in front of the sun, obstructing its light to varying degrees.
This upcoming eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe since 1999, with viewers in the UK and Ireland observing a partial eclipse where the moon will seem to take a substantial “bite” out of the sun. The eclipse will commence with the moon’s initial contact with the sun, progress to its maximum coverage, and conclude as the moon moves away.
While the UK won’t be engulfed in complete darkness like other regions, a noticeable dimming of light and drop in temperature is anticipated due to the sun’s partial coverage. The degree of darkness will be influenced by the clarity of the skies, potentially resembling dawn or dusk. Areas in the southwest will experience a more pronounced effect as a greater portion of the sun will be obscured.
London is expected to witness around 90% coverage, Cornwall about 95%, and the southwestern tip of Ireland nearly 97.7% coverage. Additionally, a partial eclipse will be visible from other parts of Europe, Canada, and northwestern Africa.
The eclipse will commence in the UK during the early evening of Wednesday, August 12, with viewers observing the moon progressively covering the sun before reaching maximum coverage and then receding. The timing of the eclipse will vary depending on the location of observation.
For those seeking total darkness, traveling to regions like Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, the Balearic Islands, or a remote part of northern Russia along the eclipse path will be necessary. NASA predicts that totality will occur around midday in northern Russia, late afternoon or early evening in Greenland and Iceland, and shortly before sunset in Spain and the northwestern tip of Portugal.
Safety precautions are crucial during the eclipse, as looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection can result in severe and permanent eye damage. Certified eclipse glasses are recommended, as they offer significantly more protection than regular sunglasses. The American Astronomical Society advises testing glasses indoors to ensure they block out all light except bright objects appearing faint, and then testing them outdoors where almost no light should pass through.
Photographers should also use certified solar filters on their cameras or lenses to capture the eclipse safely. Those who miss this event will have to wait until 2090 for the next total solar eclipse visible from the UK, while Spain will have another opportunity on August 2, 2027. Subsequent total eclipses are scheduled to cross various regions over the next two decades.