How and When You Can Watch August's Stunning Partial Solar Eclipse From the U.K. and Ireland
It will be the best solar eclipse visible from the U.K. and Ireland so far this century, experts say. Here's how to best view it.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible from the U.K. and Ireland on August 12, offering a unique celestial event for observers. While the moon will cover around 90-96% of the sun in the region, it will not be a total eclipse like those seen in some parts of Greenland, Spain, northern Russia, Iceland, and a small corner of Portugal.
The best coverage will be in Cornwall, in southwestern England, with up to 95% of the sun obscured, followed by Devon and Pembrokeshire, Wales, with coverage of 94-94% respectively. The timings for the partial eclipse vary depending on location, but generally, the first contact between the moon and sun will begin around 6:12 p.m. local time in Ireland, with the peak occurring at 7:10 p.m., and the eclipse ending at 8:05 p.m. In Cornwall, the timings are slightly later, starting at 6:18 p.m., peaking at 7:16 p.m., and concluding at 8:10 p.m. For London, the timings are similar, with a start time of 6:17 p.m., peak at 7:12 p.m., and completion at 8:06 p.m. To safely view the eclipse, experts recommend using appropriate eye protection, such as eclipse glasses or those certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard.
The U.K. Health Security Agency advises against using regular sunglasses or 3D glasses, as looking directly at the sun can cause permanent eye damage. To maximize the viewing experience, it is advised to go to an area with a clear western horizon and low light pollution, preferably lying on the ground or in a comfortable chair to fully immerse in the sky.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
