The UK is set to experience a deep partial solar eclipse on August 12, preceding the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower. The eclipse will begin shortly after 6pm BST, reaching its maximum around 7.13pm.
For much of the country, approximately 90% of the sun’s diameter will be obscured. This makes it the deepest solar eclipse visible in the UK since 1999. The sun will be low in the western sky during the event, so a clear horizon is recommended for viewing.
Following the eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of August 12-13. The moonless night after the eclipse is expected to provide ideal conditions for observing the meteor shower.