On Wednesday 12 August 2026, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK. It's a rare and exciting event that many people will be keen to watch. But looking directly at the Sun without the right protection can cause permanent damage to your eyesight.
Here's how to enjoy the eclipse safely.
Where can I see the eclipse?
The solar eclipse will be visible across the whole of the UK. People watching in the South West are likely to see the greatest proportion of the Sun covered by the Moon. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, this will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 solar eclipse - which was total from most of Cornwall and Devon - making it a genuinely special occasion.
The eclipse takes place in August, so there's a better chance of clear skies than you'd expect in autumn or winter. That said, you still need to take precautions even if it's cloudy. Cloud cover does not make it safe to look at the Sun.
Why is watching a solar eclipse risky?
During an eclipse, the Sun appears dimmer than usual. This makes it easier to look at directly - and that's precisely the problem. The reduced brightness can override the body's natural reflex to look away, allowing intense sunlight to reach and damage the retina. This damage happens without causing any pain, so you may not realise harm is occurring until it's too late.
Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse. Around 40% had looked at it for less than a minute.
Can I just wear sunglasses?
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.
How can I watch the eclipse safely?
There are 2 safe approaches: specialist eclipse viewers, or indirect viewing methods.
If you want to use eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers, make sure they are genuine eclipse glasses with specially designed filters that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E). Genuine eclipse glasses are available from reputable retailers, including Royal Museums Greenwich. Be cautious of products sold online that may not meet this requirement. If you're unsure whether a product is certified, don't use it. Don't use eclipse glasses if the lenses are scratched, torn or damaged.
Alternatively, you can watch the eclipse indirectly without any specialist equipment at all. Safe options include:
- a pinhole viewer, which you can easily make at home
- viewing the Sun's image projected through a colander or the gaps between tree leaves
- projecting the Sun's image onto a sheet of paper using a simple pinhole projector
Whichever method you choose, make sure you follow guidance carefully. The Royal Astronomical Society has published detailed, practical advice on all of these approaches.