Are you ready for the solar eclipse on the 12th August? The last eclipse in the UK like this was back in 1999 and really doesn’t feel like it was 27 years ago! This Wednesday, a total solar eclipse will be visible over Greenland, Iceland, Spain and parts of northern Portugal. The UK and Ireland will see about 90% of the sun obscured, and northern parts of the USA and Canada will see a partial eclipse.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth. The shadow only affects a relatively small part of the Earth, so not everyone can see it. The path of totality is where people are fully in the Moon’s shadow and see a total eclipse.
How can I watch the solar eclipse safely?
A solar eclipse is a rare and exciting event, but it’s really important to protect your eyes. During an eclipse, the light from the sun appears less bright than usual, which means your body doesn’t make you look away, this allows the damaging light rays to reach the retina at the back of your eye. The damage may not be apparent immediately; it can take a couple of days.
The only safe way to watch is to wear specialised eclipse glasses or use an indirect method. If you’re wearing eclipse glasses, make sure they meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E).
Indirect ways to watch a solar eclipse
Use a colander or make a pinhole projector. BBC Sky at Night shows you how it’s done!
Watch the Royal Observatory’s Eclipse Live Stream.
Remember, NEVER look directly at the Sun.
Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by Emma Vanstone
