Next week, a partial solar eclipse, the most significant visible from the UK in almost 27 years, is set to occur. On Wednesday, 12 August, while a total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Spain, viewers in the UK and Ireland will experience a partial eclipse.
Around 90 per cent of the sun will be covered by the moon across the UK and Ireland. This represents the most coverage since the last total solar eclipse in 1999. Royal Museums Greenwich states that a solar eclipse happens when the Earth, moon, and sun align, with the moon blocking the sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth.
The exact timings for the 12 August solar eclipse will vary by location. First contact is expected between 6:08 pm in Scotland and 6:18 pm in Truro, Cornwall. The eclipse will reach its maximum coverage between 7:05 pm and 7:15 pm across the UK, with the moon no longer covering the sun in all areas by 8:10 pm.
For optimal viewing, Royal Museums Greenwich advises that more coverage will generally be visible the further south-west one is. Cornwall is anticipated to see up to 95 per cent coverage, with maximum sun coverage at 7:16 pm. Pembrokeshire is set to experience a 94 per cent eclipse, while Edinburgh will witness a 91 per cent eclipse. Londoners can expect 90 per cent coverage from 7:12 pm.
Eclipse glasses are crucial for those planning to view the spectacle. The Royal Astronomical Society offers guidance on eclipse-watching, including how to create pinhole viewers.